Jim Gottfridsson, 33, had wished for more playing time in the handball EC.
And is not finished in the national team.
– I’m showing today that I have a little more to give at this level, says the midfielder.
Sweden ended the intermediate round in Malmö with a great victory, 34–21, against Switzerland.
Jim Gottfridsson was one who got more playing time than before during the EC, when the semi-final train had gone for Sweden earlier in the evening. And “Gotte” took the chance.
When he then summed up Sweden’s failed EC (even though Friday’s match against Portugal if the fifth place remains), he called for more of the game that he usually contributes offensively.
– We haven’t had flow in our attacking game. Many things have gone home, we have scored many goals. But I don’t think the ball has gone as if on a tightrope, as you are used to it doing in Swedish handball, says Gottfridsson.
“Will brood over”
Confederation captain Michael Apelgren stated that the Skåne game distributor was “very good” against Switzerland.
Should Gottfridsson have played more in the EC?
– You can always discuss that and there is of course a lot you will think about as the national team captain. But it is not offensively that we have fallen in this tournament. We concede too many goals, says Apelgren.
Gottfridsson himself, named the tournament’s “MVP” both at the European Championship silver in 2018 and the European Championship gold in 2022, believes that his effort on Wednesday evening shows that he should have been allowed to play more.
– I hope and believe that many people see it. I’m here to help the national team and get the minutes I can. I am extremely proud and satisfied with my achievements. Many people always put a big question mark on Jim Gottfridsson, that he is old and maybe on his way out and that it will be a generational change. I’m showing today that I have a little more to give at this level, he says.
Aiming for the Olympics in LA
Skåningen, who on a daily basis competes together with national team captain Apelgren in Hungarian Pick Szeged, has previously said that the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 is the final goal in his national team career. It still applies.
Even though Felix Claar has been the first choice as middle nine in the EC. Against Switzerland, 20-year-old talent Axel Månsson also had to jump in at the end and play his first championship minutes.
– I have great respect for Axel, he is a future name who will go out and try his wings in Europe (next season). We will get a lot of pleasure out of him in Swedish handball, but if the old man gets to decide himself, I will gladly continue playing for a few more years.
The next championship is the WC in Germany in a year.
