On Friday, Sweden enters the main round of the European Handball Championship and starts against one of the tournament's toughest opponents: Denmark.

According to Danish national team captain Jesper Jensen, Sweden is not the toughest opposition in the main round.

- France is a better team than Sweden, there is probably no one who says against it.

If you look at the Swedish team, there are probably not many who would fit into France's squad.

Sweden has some collective forces that France does not have, but they are not France, he says according to the news agency Ritzau.

But when TT talks to Jensen, he is a little milder in tone.

TT: Do you think you underestimate Sweden?

- No I do not think so.

On the other hand, I think we may have a little less information about the Swedish team than they have about us.

They have many young players who are in the Swedish league.

But I think we have a great chance to beat Sweden.

Even match last

- If they underestimate us, it's always fun.

Then you do not know if it is a media trick on his part or if they are trying to psych us.

We will focus on the fact that we are hungry to win against Denmark, says Swedish goalkeeper Jessica Ryde.

For Sweden, a victory is needed on Friday.

You enter the main round with just one point.

From the main round, the three best of the six teams advance.

The first and second in the group advance to the semifinals and the third can play for fifth place.

Denmark is one of the favorite tipped teams in the championship, but there are often even matches when they face Sweden.

When the teams met in the European Championships 2018, the Danes won with one goal (30-29).

- It will be a very even match.

There are two good teams and many players who know each other and know each other's weaknesses, says Jessica Ryde.

Several of the Danish and Swedish players play together or against each other in the Danish league.

A good tool for both countries.

"Many you want to win against"

Swedish midfielder Carin Strömberg plays together with four players Danish European Championship players in Viborg.

- It is clear that I have some insight into their strengths and weaknesses that I share with the others.

I'm not the only one either, I think we could gather almost the entire Danish team on our players with someone who played with or against them.

Our combined experience can be a significant difference.

Ryde, also in everyday life in Herning-Ikast, also has a good view of the Danish team.

- I hope that I can use that experience even though the players may have slightly different roles in the national team than in the club team.

There are many people you know who you want to win against, I think they have the same feeling.

- We will use all the information we have about the Swedish players to win.

Sweden's defensive game is really good and together with two good goalkeepers it is the part we have to solve, says Jesper Jensen.

KLIPP: SVT's expert saw the judges: "Far too low level" (December 3, 2020)

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Grahn saw the judges: "Far too low level" Photo: SVT