The reigning European champions, Sweden, go to the EC with two victories in the bag. After Friday’s great victory against Japan in Jönköping, Sweden repeated the feat in Ängelholm. 43–23 (24–12) were the final scores in the EC general rep in Ängelholm.
– I’m very happy with what we’ve done in training and in the match this week, summed up national team captain Glenn Solberg after the match.
Just like on Friday, Sweden completely dominated the match picture. Blågult quickly took the lead and after just five minutes the score was 5-2.
Tobias Thulin started the match in the Swedish goal. In the second half, Thulin was replaced by the A national team debutant Simon Möller.
– It’s been a long time since I was this nervous before a match, Möller commented after the final whistle.
A total of 14 Swedish players were noted in the goal report. Sebastian Karlsson, Hampus Wanne, Daniel Pettersson and Karl Wallinius was top scorer with a total of 21 goals, almost half of Sweden’s goals.
The 5,125 spectators in Ängelholm also got to witness a brilliant Swedish defensive and counterattacking game. Like Friday’s event in Småland, Sweden made the process short with Japan. At half time led Glenn Solberg’s men with 24–12.
– Back it was much better today, said the right-hander Albin Lagergren after the game.
– We wanted to run for 60 minutes today and we showed that, said Jim Gottfridsson.
Between minute 30 and minute 60, Sweden’s lead increased slowly but surely. The Swedish dominance was sometimes total.
In the end they won by 20 balls. 43–23 (24–12) was the final score in the Catena Arena. A message of strength ahead of the EC premiere on Thursday against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Mannheim.
– We have had two good international matches and a good training week here in Ängelholm. We have a good feeling before the EC, summed up five-goal scorer Daniel Pettersson.
– It will be great fun to get started on Thursday, said Jim Gottfridsson.
SWEDEN–JAPAN 43–23 (24–12)
Sweden: Sebastian Karlsson 6, Hampus Wanne 5, Daniel Pettersson 5, Karl Wallinius 5, Jim Gottfridsson 4, Max Darj 3, Eric Johansson 3, Lukas Sandell 3, Lucas Pellas 2, Jonathan Edvardsson 2, Oscar Bergendahl 2, Andreas Nilsson, Felix Claar, Albin Lagergren.
Japan: Hiroki Motoki 5, Adam Yuki Baig 5, Shuichi Yoshida 4, Hiroki Matsuoka 2, Shin Izumoto 2, Jin Watanabe 2, Shoma Tashiro, Sota Takano, Asumi Kitazume.
Goal development: 5 min: 5–2, 10 min: 8–5, 15 min: 11–7, 20 min: 16–10, 25 min: 21–10, 30 min: 24–12, 35 min: 26–14, 40 min: 28–16, 45 min: 29–18, 50 min: 33–21, 55 min: 39–22, 60 min: 43–23.
Deportations, Sweden: 2 x 2 min. Japan: 4 x 2 min.
Judge: Jesper Madsen & Henrik Mortensen, Denmark.
Public: 5,125 (Catena Arena, Ängelholm).
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
January 11: Bosnia & Herzegovina, EC, SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany (20.30)
January 13: Georgia, EC, SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany (20.30)
January 15: Netherlands, EC, SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany (20.30)
Text: Olof Thyrelius Ericson
Photo: Bildbyrån
2024-01-08 09:13:25
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