The Japanese Norwegian will stop Sweden

Sakura Hauge, or Kametani which is the name she uses in Japan, was born almost 33 years ago in Norwegian Bergen. Her father was a Norwegian, her mother was Japanese and eventually she joined the Norwegian youth national team. There were even two A-national matches for Norway, actually against Sweden in 2014. But the chances of playing in a national team were greater in the east and in 2015 she chose Japan.

"The dream has always been to play the World Cup and the Olympics and then I finally had to choose," she says, firing one of many laughs when we meet her after Japan's simple victory against Congo.

In 2017, she stood all matches in the World Cup for a Japan that reached the eighth finals, where, despite Kametani being selected as the best player of the match, she lost to the future bronze medalists Netherlands by 24-26 after extension. Japan is getting better and is investing hard even in this World Cup at home. And not least against the Tokyo Olympics next year.

"Handball is not a big sport in Japan, but we hope people get their eyes on it," she says.

Japan's Danish Confederation Ulrik Kirkely, together with Kametani, have tried to introduce a little more "European" into the national team.

- We show more emotions now when we play, says the goalkeeper. The desire to win is strong and we show when we are angry and happy. And then we have become more cynical. Like all other teams when it comes to getting penalties for example.

Kametani now plays in French Bresancon but last year she was a club buddy with Swedish middle sex Anna Lagerquist in Danish Nyköping Falster.

- It's always a little mental when you meet someone you played with, says Kametani.

Do you know how to take her shot?

"I hope so," she says, laughing again.

Have you had any contact?

- No, we only talked a little when we met yesterday.

Lagerquist also laughs when I pick up the Japanese goalkeeper.

- Well, you know a little how she does and she knows what I like ...

How do you score on her then?

- Yes, now you have to think and not push the favorites ... Just take it easy and place it. It's mostly just fun and during the match you don't think about it, says the Swede who has been one of the best in the first two matches.

"We should not underestimate Japan," continues Anna Lagerquist. They have a very good team with a lot of speed and more physics than you think. It will probably be a pain.

But respect is mutual.

- If we reach our highest level, we have the chance against Sweden, says Sakura Kametani. We saw in the last World Cup that we can match the best teams if everyone is at 100 percent.

What happened when Kametani met Sweden last time? Well, Norway won one of two training matches in 2014 and the goalkeeper was named the best player of the match.