Sweden's handball masters surprised and took a World Cup silver in Egypt in January. Now a hectic week awaits, which ends with a decisive Olympic qualifier. But first it is the European Championship qualifier against Montenegro that applies. The match will be broadcast on SVT2 at 18.00. - An extremely important match, because it puts a mark on emotions and attitude before Sweden enters the Olympic qualifiers this weekend, says SVT Sports expert Magnus Grahn.

The squad is almost identical to the one that went to Sweden's first World Cup final in 20 years (loss 24-26 against Denmark).

The next big task will be four matches in one week: first European Championship qualifiers against Montenegro in Lund, then three Olympic qualifiers in as many days in Berlin.

- If (national team captain) Glenn Solberg manages to maintain the good atmosphere and atmosphere that existed in the World Cup team, they have come extremely far.

Sweden must win so as not to get brooding in the head before the important Olympic qualifier, says Magnus Grahn.

Two World Cup players are missing: Max Darj (personal reasons) and Lukas Sandell (covid-19).

Both miss the European Championship qualifiers and Sandell also the Olympic qualifiers.

- Big break with Max Darj.

He has been the defense general that Sweden has relied on in recent championships.

Ekberg back

Of the players who turned down the World Cup, only Niclas Ekberg is back and strengthens the offensive.

Otherwise, names like Andreas Nilsson, Linus Arnesson and Lukas Nilsson are missing.

- Sweden's model in the World Cup was based on using the same player in defense and attack to avoid changes and thus create a huge counterattack.

Solberg wants to maintain the same flow and self-confidence and give the players from the World Cup more confidence.

With new players, Solberg had to rethink and he does not have time for that.

In a longer perspective, for example, Lukas Nilsson is always super current.

Grahn now wants to see Sweden perform over time, in several qualifiers and championships.

- Two things suggest that the success continues: the youthful enthusiasm will still sprout.

There is a kind of naivety that we will do this, which is good for this team.

- Sweden's game is very attractive.

Very good traditional defensive game and then it goes fast in the counterattacks.

I think that will work well in the qualifying matches against good but sluggish opponents.

"Bath in hysterical form"

Sweden has won European Championship qualifiers against Romania and Kosovo and is the favorite against Montenegro.

Due to the corona pandemic's quarantine rules, no training is done before the match.

- It is almost the same conditions as before the World Cup.

Then Sweden spent a lot of time on theory training and went through how to play.

The situation is worse for Montenegro who were not in the World Cup.

Since the World Cup final on January 31, the Swedish players have preserved their form.

- Hampus Wanne still has hysterical shape.

Lucas Pellas had a very good weekend with, among other things, seven goals.

The form is excellent with all players.

It's just a question of how good the goalkeeper Andreas Palicka, who left the World Cup injured, will be.

This weekend, the Olympic qualifiers will be played against Germany, Algeria and Slovenia.

World Cup runner-up Sweden is no longer underestimated.

- Sweden has pressure on it and that is when it develops.

The Olympic qualifiers will be very tight.

To reach the absolute top, Sweden's attacking play must be better overall, especially against offensive defense.

In the World Cup final, solve the routine.

CLIP: World Cup silver for Sweden

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Watch the silver heroes' first match since the World Cup final

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