After victories against the Netherlands, Georgia, Croatia and Slovenia, Sweden had the chance to take a giant step towards the semi-finals with a victory against Iceland.
Instead, it was a stinging and worrying big loss, 27–35, in front of the large audience in Malmö.
– It’s an emptiness, I’m disappointed of course. We wanted more today, but they were better than us, says Oscar Bergendahl to Viaplay.
Sweden got it wrong into the match right from the start and that was not least the case for Felix Claar. The often brilliant middle nine started by being sent off almost immediately and a little later was lying in pain, after a tough hit when an Icelander ran into him.
Once Claar entered the game more regularly, both he and Sweden had problems. It was careless, it was difficult to get to the end. Even the previously safe Nikola Roganovic had a tough time from the penalty line. Viktor Gísli Hallgrímsson saved two of three penalties from the 19-year-old star, and at halftime Iceland – cheered on by a loud away crowd – had grabbed an 18-12 lead.
Felix Claar var speechless so far. And Sweden in the dock after their worst half so far in the EC.
– We are too sloppy in the first contact at the back above all. It’s too damn bad. We talked about it before, that we would be tough there, and I don’t think we will succeed in that at all, says Albin Lagergren to Viaplay.
In the second half, there was initially a proper promotion.
Andreas Palicka, who replaced Mikael Appelgren already in the first half, got the crowd going with some saves in what was his 41st European Championship match in his career (a new Swedish record). Towards the front, it also began to loosen more and more. When Felix Claar shot 20-21, his first goal of the match, Sweden had scored four straight and were seriously weathered.
But this was Iceland’s match. Confederation captain Michael Apelgren was forced to take a timeout with less than ten minutes left, in a situation where Iceland again pulled away and led 28-24.
Then Sweden did not have the strength for a final push.
Four teams – Sweden, Iceland, Slovenia and Croatia (who face Switzerland later tonight) – all have one loss each in the intermediate round in Malmö.
Sweden finishes with matches against Hungary (Tuesday) and Switzerland (Wednesday). Two victories there are enough, after all, to guarantee playing the EC semi-final in Danish Herning on Friday.
