Group A ended in Gothenburg on Tuesday evening with the meeting between Sweden and Croatia. Blågult won the group final thanks to a very strong defensive game. 22–17 (9–7) were the final scores, which means that Sweden advances with four points to the main round.
– We stopped them backwards, commented Jenny Carlson after the final whistle.
It was set for a clean group final in Scandinavium on Tuesday night. Sweden and Croatia, who were both ready for play in the main round, settled for two important points. This in front of 8,538 spectators – a new audience record for Swedish women’s national team handball.
Evelina Eriksson played from the start in the Swedish goal. Haninge HK-bred Eriksson was absolutely brilliant in the first half and went into the break with 65% saves. Croatia managed only seven goals against the Swedish defense and goalkeeping.
In Croatia’s box stood Tea Pijevic. The same Pijevic who in winter 2020 led Croatia to a European Championship bronze and the country’s first ever championship medal on the women’s side. Tonight she managed to periodically outwit the Swedish shooters.
– It’s a different goalkeeper. She stands in a different way, more straight into the goal. You are not used to that, commented Jenny Carlson.
As a result of Eriksson and Pijevic’s fine goalkeeping, the half-time score was 9-7. Among the Swedish outfield players, Stuck Anna Lagerquist and Jenny Carlson out. The former brings its toil backwards and the latter brings its productivity forward.
– Anna should be praised today. In my eyes, she is the best defender in the world. She ran our defense incredibly well, Carlson commented.
In summary, Sweden came to much better final positions in the first half. Croatia, on the other hand, had relatively few clear-cut chances.
In the second half, Sweden had significantly better efficiency in the finals. In the 46th minute, Jenny Carlson extended the lead to 18–12. Shortly afterwards, the same Carlson extended it to 19–12. At most, Sweden led with seven goals in the second half.
– Today was my day to drive and I did it, said the six-goal shooter Carlson, who was the top scorer of the Swedes tonight. In addition, she was noted for six assists.
– In terms of points, this was my best match in this championship, continued the Kärra HF product.
The uphill climb of six goals would prove too much for the Croatian players. The visitors made a valiant effort with five minutes left to play. But three straight goals from Jenny Carlson (20–16), Mathilda Lundström (21–16) and Jamina Roberts (22–16) put the nail in the coffin.
With tonight’s victory, Sweden advances to the main round with a full pot. Just like the group stage, the main round is played in Scandinavium in Gothenburg.
In the main round, Sweden meets in turn Cameroon, Hungary and Montenegro, which are the three best teams from group B. The first match is played against Cameroon on Thursday at 20.30. The two best teams from the main round in Gothenburg advance to the quarter-finals.
– Now the focus is on the last three games. It’s a day off tomorrow, so we’re going to rest a bit. Hopefully I can spend some time with my boyfriend and just take it easy and see beautiful Gothenburg, Carlson said.
SWEDEN–CROATIA 22–17 (9–7)
Sweden: Jenny Carlson 6, Nathalie Hagman 5, Mathilda Lundström 3, Linn Blohm 2, Olivia Mellegård 2, Jamina Roberts 2, Sofia Hvenfelt, Emma Lindqvist.
Croatia: Andrea Simara 5, Valentina Blazevic 3, Dejana Milosavljevic 2, Lara Buric 2, Tina Barisic, Kristina Prkacin, Camila Micijevic, Katarina Jezic, Klara Birtic.
Goal development: 5 min: 0–0, 10 min: 1–2, 15 min: 3–3, 20 min: 7–5, 25 min: 8–5 30 min: 9–7, 35 min: 12–8, 40 min : 15–11, 45 min: 17–12, 50 min: 19–12, 55 min: 19–16, 60 min: 22–17.
Deportations, Sweden: 3 x 2 min. Croatia: 4 x 2 min.
Judge: Tanja Kuttler & Maike Merz, Tyskland.
Public: 8,538 (Scandinavium, Gothenburg).
VM 2023
1 december:
Croatia–Senegal 22–22 Sweden–China 36–24
3 december:
Croatia–China 39–13 Senegal–Sverige 18–26
5 december:
China–Senegal 15–22 Sweden–Croatia 22–17
Table
Sweden 3 3 0 0 +25 6 Croatia 3 2 1 0 +21 3 Senegal 3 1 1 1 –1 3 China 3 0 0 3 –45 0
All matches, results and tables
Text: Olof Thyrelius Ericson
Photo: Bildbyrån
2023-12-05 21:04:02
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