The Swedish WC squad arrived in Gothenburg by bus. Not the usual, blue-yellow, which clearly marks that the Swedish national team is going here, but an “anonymous”, chartered from a bus company.
It is one of several security measures taken before the WC and which is a consequence of the terrorist attack against Swedish football supporters in Brussels.
– We will have a special security guard with us during the championship, says Daniel Vandor, the national team’s press manager.
The players have become urged not to wear Swedish clothing if they go out on the streets of Gothenburg.
At the player hotel, press conferences will be held in a room where the entrances can be closed.
“We have rules of conduct regarding what clothes we should wear,” says debutant Sofia Hvenfeldt. Photo: Veronika Ljung-Nielsen
National team manager Hanna Fogelström says that the security work around the national team was tightened immediately after the authorities’ decision to raise the terror threat level in the country in August, and that already at the international match against Luxembourg in October, the players were urged not to go around town dressed in Swedish clothing.
WC debutant Sofia Hvenfeldt notices the increased safety requirements and feels safe.
– We have a high level of security in Sweden and I know that they are well prepared for this championship. We have rules of conduct regarding what clothes to wear, but beyond that there hasn’t been much, says Hvenfeldt, who doesn’t think it will affect the team.
– No, it shouldn’t, but for me, who is new in these contexts, there is a lot of information to take in. It is important to sort, so that energy and focus are on the right things.
Also around the Swedish The WC arenas in Gothenburg and Helsingborg have high security and, just like at other events, it is forbidden to take bags with you during the WC.
A threat of a different kind during the World Cup is the covid virus. Recently, several skaters in the national cross-country team fell ill. If the infection should affect the WC squad, the conditions change.
Confederation captain Tomas Axnér says that it’s not just about protecting oneself against covid.
– We are afraid of all infections. If they get a sore throat, stomach flu or just get snotty, they are also not playable. We follow the general advice and the players are good at general hand hygiene and know to speak up if they feel symptoms, says Axnér.
Sweden opens the WC with a match against China on Friday evening and plays its first six matches in Gothenburg. If the team goes to the playoffs, it will be decided in Herning, Denmark.
Read more:
Record crowd when Sweden meets China in the WC premiere
Guide: Everything you need to know about the Handball World Cup
2023-12-01 11:03:12
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