It has not been directly easy for Sweden against Spain in a handball context.
The last time there was a Swedish victory in a competition match between the nations was in 2009.
But in Saturday's group stage match in the European Championships, Sweden - which missed midfielder Max Darj due to covid-19 - took the lead and the team kept a steady pace for a long time in the first half.
But Spain shifted up the closer to the break they came and led 17-14 after the first half hour of the match.
A big part of it was blue-yellow carelessness.
- We actually make a damn good half but we have too many technical errors.
It is too bad against a team like Spain, says Jim Gottfridsson during a break to Viaplay.
Sweden approached a bit in the second half.
Twelve minutes into the second, Hampus Wanne reduced to 23-22 after a counterattack and the match got more and more nervous.
A nerve that held.
With four minutes left, Sweden had a golden opportunity to equalize after a Spanish post hit - but Jonathan Carlsobogård passed the ball in the ensuing counterattack.
In the end, it was also a Spanish victory with 32-28.
Spain thus tops the group with a full pot after the Czech Republic was defeated 28-26.
Sweden, in turn, has a victory, 30-18 against Bosnia, and will face the Czech Republic on Monday in the final group game, which can be directly decisive for promotion.