Sweden got a big win with Switzerland last Friday. It can be very worthwhile when summing Group F of the handball championship - but also puts it to chance to bring points to the middle round.
Before Tuesday night's matches (Switzerland-Slovenia and Poland-Sweden), Slovenia leads the group on four points, before Sweden and Switzerland on two points each.
Here's how Sweden becomes one of two teams moving forward:
* In victory against Poland:
Sweden is ready for the intermediate round in Malmö no matter how it goes between Slovenia and Switzerland.
However, for Sweden to also get two points from the group stage, it is necessary that Switzerland move on instead of Slovenia. And it only happens at a Swiss match against Ljubomir Vranje's gang.
"What is needed is for Switzerland to hit Slovenia with at least eight balls," says Daniel Vandor, the Swedish national team's press officer.
- But we do not see Switzerland as likely to run across Slovenia.
* In case of a draw against Poland:
Sweden ready for the round, provided Switzerland does not win against Slovenia. In this scenario, Sweden will not get any points for the middle round.
* In case of loss to Poland:
Now it gets a little more complicated. However, Sweden is able to continue despite a loss to Poland. Then, initially, Switzerland must simultaneously lose to Slovenia. There can be no points for the middle round in this scenario either.
In that case, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland all end up at two points - and then the goal-winning Swedish victory against Switzerland suddenly becomes all the more important.
In that scenario, Sweden could afford to lose by six goals against Poland and still move on.