- Norway – Sweden 28-32 (17-15)
PARIS (Dagbladet): Norway is considered the top favorite for the Olympics. Just the day before, in Aftonbladet’s handball podcast, Dutch coach Per Johansson firmly stated that Norway is the team to beat, but against Sweden, they completely faltered.
– Now it is really uncomfortable to be Norwegian in Paris, commented Asbjørn Myhre on Max when it fell apart the worst in the final minutes.
A proper cold shower
– A collapse we don’t see often. They completely lose it, says Max expert Ole Gustav Gjekstad.
Stine Bredal Oftedal was clearly disappointed after the loss.
– We are obviously affected. We thought we could turn it around, but it’s a hopeless situation to put ourselves in, the national team captain tells Dagbladet.
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– Then all teams are good enough
Nora Mørk wished she could have contributed more in the match.
– It was a messy match. I wish I could have contributed more. I think we create enough chances, but we have to score the ball, says a clearly affected veteran to Dagbladet.
She is clear that tonight’s performance was not good enough.
– We cannot afford to perform below par in the Olympics. Then all teams are good enough to beat us. It is disappointing, she says.
Do you agree with the newspapers’ description of this as a failure?
– Clearly it is disappointing. We went in with a good feeling, but the championship is long, and we have to keep working. We can’t do anything about it now. They can call it whatever they want. It’s different when you’re going into it and have waited for four years. Then there are a few extra nerves, Mørk says.
Handball shock
Sweden’s goalkeeper performed excellently
Norway was shaken by Sweden in the opener, but a strong finish heading into halftime made Norway lead 17-15 at halftime.
This happened after Thorir Hergeirsson was clearly dissatisfied during a timeout earlier in the half.
Towards the end, the game changed character. Much thanks to the great performance from Sweden’s goalkeeper, Johanna Bundsen.
In the final ten minutes, the Swedes suddenly turned the game around, and little brother fought hard to eventually win.
– Self-centered
– A burden
Sweden’s national team coach was very pleased after the victory.
– I feel we are playing well. We have a goalkeeper who is phenomenal for the team. In my eyes, Norway is the gold favorites, so it’s clear that we have everything to gain in such a game. The fact that they are a better team on paper may become a burden for Norway when the game needs to be decided, says Ulf Tomas Axnér to Dagbladet.
He is clear that every game has its own life.
– You cannot take anything for granted.
Despite the loss, Norway still has every chance to advance. Four out of six teams from the group will proceed to the quarter-finals.
In the stands sat Henny Reistad, who has not yet been cleared to play.
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