Tonight, the men's handball players play their first international match since the WC when they face Spain in the EHF Euro Cup.

Shortly before, Albin Lagergren and Lucas Pellas were forced to withdraw due to injuries.

That made the issue of the tough game schedule that the top players have relevant again.

In 2019, Mikael Appelgren was involved when the #dontplaytheplayers campaign was launched to highlight the tough workload.

- Somewhere, I think we got a small response with the set-up, but of course it can be even better, he says and continues:

- I think you can get even more quality out of us players on the handball court if we get some more gaps.

If the leagues and confederations agree a little better with slightly longer breaks before championships, so that everyone has the same conditions.

Now some leagues end on December 20 and we in Germany played our last game on December 26-27.

If you get a little extra rest and recovery, both physically and mentally, I think it will be better for the players and higher quality handball for all spectators.

Appelgren says that it is a question that is discussed among the star players.

- It's something we players talk about and through the players' associations we have a chance to influence.

It has gotten a little better and can get even better.

Sweden-Spain starts at 19:00 and is broadcast on SVT2 and on SVT Play.

MORE HANDBALL: Elias Ellefsen á Skipagötu dominated in the derby against Önnered

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Elias Ellefsen Á Skipagötu was successful in his Sävehof comeback.

Photo: Bildbyrån/SVT