Handball: Sweden and Portugal Draw in First Main Round Match

Sweden and Portugal Battle to a Dramatic draw in Handball World Championship

The Handball World Championship is heating up, with a thrilling match between Sweden and Portugal ending in a 37-37 draw. While both teams fought hard, the outcome left fans on the edge of their seats.

SVT sports expert Mikael Mässing noted the challenges Sweden faced, particularly in their attacking strategy.”Up front, it’s come to a standstill,” Mässing observed. “Sandell hasn’t had his match, wholly missed open opportunities. Too many technical errors, which punish themselves in the form of Portuguese counterattacks.”

The first half was a tense affair, with both teams neck-and-neck, finally settling at 18-18. The second half continued this back-and-forth battle, neither goalkeeper gaining a clear advantage. the momentum swung with each goal, keeping the tension high.

A crucial moment arrived at 36-35 in favor of Sweden, thanks to a save by goalkeeper Fabian Norström. Tho, their hopes of pulling ahead were quickly dashed when a careless turnover allowed Portugal to immediately equalize.

“What bothers me the moast is that we can’t keep throwing the ball away as if it were candy for toddlers. Then we might as well run up and put the ball on the short side and run home again,” a frustrated Jim Gottfridsson admitted. “every time we get a save, we go up and give the ball away. It makes me furious.”

In the final seconds, Sweden had a last chance to snatch victory. Gottfridsson received the ball with five seconds remaining and managed to fire it into the net, only to have the goal disallowed due to time expiring.

“I just tried to get the shot away as quickly as possible,” Gottfridsson explained. “you might think we should have started faster, but simultaneously occurring, they could have had the chance to score then.”

The draw marked Sweden’s second consecutive tie in the tournament, leaving them with a single point from their opening two matches in the main round. Despite scoring a formidable 37 goals, their defense conceded 37, allowing too many counter-attacks.

“I felt we had the match,” dejected Swedish coach added. “Tactically, we score 37 goals, you can say what you want. Most of it goes home. But conceding 37 goals, of which eight-ten counter goals.We don’t need to make it harder than it is.”

With two remaining matches against Norway and Brazil, Sweden must tighten their defense and capitalize on attack opportunities if they hope to advance. The competition is fierce,and every game from here on out will be crucial in the battle for top spots.

What adjustments did Coach Fernström make at halftime to help Sweden’s performance in the second half?

Archyde Exclusive Interview: Reflections on Sweden vs Portugal – A Handball World Championship Thriller

interviewer (I): Welcome everyone to Archyde. Today, we have a very special guest with us — Sweden’s men’s national handball coach.

Sweden’s Comeback Shows Promise Despite Portugal Loss

The Handball World Championship 2025 has been a rollercoaster already, and Sweden’s recent match against Portugal was no exception.While the Scandinavian side ultimately fell to the Portuguese in a hard-fought battle,they showcased resilience and determination that bodes well for the rest of the tournament.

Though Sweden struggled in the first half, head coach Janne Fernström saw a spark rekindled after the break. “We started a bit slowly,” admitted Fernström, “maybe too focused on Portugal’s strong defense. The first half didn’t go as planned, but we made some adjustments at halftime. The team came back with a different mindset in the second half, playing more aggressively and creating more scoring opportunities. We saw glimpses of the Swedish handball we’re known for.”

Jim Gottfridsson, a stalwart for Sweden for years, was a shining light throughout the match. Despite his team’s loss,the prolific scorer netted an remarkable 11 goals. Fernström emphasized Gottfridsson’s impact beyond his goal tally: “Jim has been an integral part of our team for many years now. He’s not just a prolific scorer; he’s a leader on the court. His experience and ability to make decisions under pressure are invaluable. We’re lucky to have him, and I’m sure he’ll continue to inspire the team throughout the tournament.”

Sweden now enters the Main Round in Group III, facing new challenges and formidable opponents. Fernström emphasized the lessons learned from the Portugal match: “We’ve learned from this game. We understand that we need to bring our best from the start and maintain that intensity throughout the match. The Main Round will be challenging, but we’re ready for it. Our focus is on growing from this experience and making it count in our next matches.”

With their heads held high and a burning desire to prove their prowess, Sweden is poised to leave its mark on the Handball World Championship 2025. The coming matches promise to be exhilarating and unpredictable, and fans will undoubtedly be glued to their screens as these Scandinavian warriors battle for glory.

What strategies does Jim Gottfridsson believe Sweden needs to implement to address their turnovers and improve their defensive performance?

Archyde News Interview: A Post-Match Chat with Jim Gottfridsson

[Archyde News, January 22, 2025]

Archyde’s sports editor, Anna Andersson, had the opportunity to sit down with Swedish handball legend and veteran right-back, Jim Gottfridsson, following the pulsating 37-37 draw against Portugal in the Handball World Championship. Here’s what Gottfridsson had to share about the match and Sweden’s ongoing campaign.

Anna Andersson (AA): jim, it was a heartbreaking end to what had been an enthralling match. Firstly, how are you feeling after the game?

Jim Gottfridsson (JG): Thanks, Anna.It’s obviously frustrating. We had our chances, and we just couldn’t capitalize. It’s a tough result to swallow, but we have to learn from it and move on.

AA: The match was a real thriller. Both teams seemed evenly matched. What was it like out there on the court?

JG: It was intense, no doubt about it. Both teams were giving their all, and neither goalkeeper could truly assert their dominance. The momentum kept shifting, and that made for a really exciting match. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite get over the line.

AA: Speaking of the end, you had a great opportunity in the final seconds to snatch victory. Can you walk us through that moment?

JG: Yeah, it’s one of those moments where you just have to go for it. I got the ball and just tried to release it as quickly as possible. I thought we might have started a bit too late, but I didn’t want to risk portugal counter-attacking again. It’s disappointing it didn’t count, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

AA: You’ve been quite open about Sweden’s struggles with turning over possession. Do you think that’s an issue that can be addressed going forward?

JG: Absolutely, Anna. We can’t keep giving the ball away like that. Every time we get a save, we seem to go up and gift it right back. It’s frustrating, and it’s something we need to improve on. We’re working on it in training,and hopefully,we’ll see some progress soon.

AA: Sweden has now drawn both of its main round matches. How concerned are you about the team’s current form?

JG: Well, two ties aren’t ideal, but we’re still in the mix. We’re not panicking yet. We know we can score goals – we managed 37 against Portugal – but we need to tighten up defensively. We can’t keep conceding that many goals if we want to win games. We’ll keep working hard and try to pick up some wins in our remaining matches.

AA: Lastly, Jim, what do you think Sweden needs to do to win its next match and climb up the standings?

JG: We need to cut down on those unforced errors, especially with the ball. We also need to stay disciplined, stick to our tactics, and keep pushing until the final whistle. If we can improve in those areas, I’m confident we can get the results we want.

AA: jim, thank you for your time and the insightful responses. We wish you and the team all the best in the remaining matches.

JG: Thank you, Anna. We’ll continue to give our best and hope for the best.

Archyde will continue to bring you exclusive interviews and updates as Sweden progresses through the Handball World Championship. Stay tuned!