With both Russia and Spain in the group, it was of utmost importance that Sweden started the European Handball Championship by defeating the Czech Republic to have the chance to go far in the tournament.

The Swedes were big favorites before the match, but at half time it was only a draw, 13-13, after a not too impressive effort.

Sweden mixed and gave both offensively and defensively and Isabella Gulldén missed two penalty throws.

Five expulsions did not help either.

"We started weak"

- I think we started weak.

We went sideways on the attacking game.

We had five or six expulsions and it will be a minority game where you have to kill time.

Then there will be no flow in the game, says Carin Strömberg to SVT Sport about the first half.

The second half started anything but well.

The Czech Republic pulled away to a three-goal lead against a Sweden that looked stressed initially.

But the blue and yellows found themselves quickly and caught up, and after 40 minutes played, Nathalie Hagman put a penalty until 18-17.

Strong European Championship debut by Ryde

In the second half, Jessica Ryde made her European Championship debut and replaced Filippa Idéhn in the goal.

Just Ryde stepped forward and lined up several important saves as the match stood and weighed.

Offensively, Emma Lindqvist scored three goals in a short time and Sweden was able to pull away with a few goals.

- Jessica did very well when she came in and took some important saves so we got a good feeling and would push a little, says Anna Lagerqvist to SVT Sport.

"Then we tightened up"

After a Czech timeout, it was Sweden who decided the match when Carin Strömberg and Linn Blohm, one of the giants of the match, arranged for the lead to be 25-20.

The match ended 27-23 and next Spain, who lost clearly against Russia earlier today, is waiting for Sweden on Saturday.

- It was a rather strange match, maybe a typical first match.

It was quite a lot up and down and when they went up in the lead, it was time for us to sharpen up, says Lagerqvist.

- It's nice to end with a good feeling after the first 40 which was not the way we want to play.

Super nice and a liberating feeling, says Strömberg.