The day before the group stage against Norway, which is a directly decisive match for which team goes to the semifinals, the message came that was not allowed to come.

Andreas Palicka and Felix Claar have tested positive for covid-19 and are unavailable.

- Palicka's absence can not be emphasized enough.

A Palicka in shape can win even close matches on their own with their skill and experience.

Thulin and Johannesson are two good replacements, but lack the experience that Palicka has in playing important championship matches.

It can not be replaced, says handball expert Magnus Grahn.

- Claar is a heavy break too, but there we are a little better equipped.

If there was a heavy responsibility on Jim Gottfridsson even before, it is now enormous.

It is up to the coaches to find a way to be able to play Gottfridsson throughout the match.

We have seen several teams hit hard by positive cases during the championship.

How do you see it?

- It gives a shimmer of ridicule over the tournament.

It may be as I predicted before the championship that it is not the two best teams that meet in the final, but the two that managed best from covidsmitta.

It will be extremely unfair sporting conditions, Grahn concludes.