The World Handball Championship has had a nightmare start with two late departures due to corona.
First, the Czech Republic, which Sweden would have met in the premiere, threw in the towel and later also the United States.
Late yesterday, Sweden was told that they will instead face Northern Macedonia in tomorrow's World Cup premiere.
- It is absolutely not optimal conditions, but no country has had it.
It is very messy for Sweden to face Northern Macedonia, a team they have not really had time to scout, says SVT Sport national team expert Magnus Grahn.
- I think that Northern Macedonia is a worse resistance for Sweden because I think they are a little better than the Czech Republic.
Missing several key players
The two European Championship qualifiers against Montenegro would have served as a World Cup genre rep for the Swedish team.
But both matches were canceled due to the corona pandemic.
In addition, the team has only had a few training sessions together.
Not only that.
Sweden lacks several leading players who have chosen to say no due to corona and injury.
Among others Lukas Nilsson, Andreas Nilsson and Simon Jeppsson.
- This plus the non-optimal conditions makes it difficult to analyze what Sweden can achieve, says Grahn who believes that expectations of Sweden should be low.
- I probably think so in general.
You miss a lot of players and the national team captain is new and has not had time to make his mark on the team.
A quarterfinal is a reasonable goal, no more than that.
Duo must perform for Sweden
Against Northern Macedonia, he hopes for strong defensive and goalkeeping play.
- Sweden must build from there and then we must be forgiving that the timing of the attack will not be in place.
Which players must perform for Sweden to succeed in the World Cup?
- Andreas Palicka in goal needs to perform and the game engine Jim Gottfridsson.
He must control and lead the attack.
The match between Sweden and Northern Macedonia starts at 20.30 tomorrow Thursday.