[ad_1]
The 22-24 loss to Denmark means that Sweden remains within one point in the intermediate round with two games to play. Therefore, it is not possible to compete with Russia and France, who lead the group with seven points each.
But even though the semi-final spot is gone, two more games will be played, against Montenegro on Sunday and France on Tuesday, and the Swedish team say they have a lot to play for.
– People look at us when we play. We can’t just walk around and waste time on prime time. We have our own honor to play and we need to bring some winning culture into this decent new team. So we will definitely take those matches very seriously, even if we don’t have a place for the semi-finals to play, says Jamina Roberts.
With his 30 years he is Roberts is one of the most experienced on the team along with, among others, Bella Gulldén, 31, and Nathalie Hagman, 29. And the senior guard seems to see an exciting future with the new younger players on the team.
– We have many things that we can contribute from this championship. We have a lot of new members on the team and I think that many have contributed very well. If we can do the combination of young and old work, I think it will look great, says Hagman.
One of the championship debutants who made an impression is goalkeeper Jessica Ryde, who played very well against Denmark and has always been responsible for an excellent tournament in Denmark.
– I believe in a bright future. I think we have a good team that has a lot to come. We will simply train and play more games together to learn about each other’s playing styles. There is much to learn.
With a little fluidity, he could have been very useful for the Swedish national team already, he says.
– It’s very boring because I think we have a lot of potential in the team. We have a lot of good players. There are many young people who do not have much experience, including me, and yet we are putting pressure on Russia, taking on the Czech Republic and putting pressure on Denmark… It would have been so well deserved if they had paid us a little more.
Even on the management side Tomas Axnér’s first championship as captain of the national team, and he is on the same track as his players.
– I think we have improved in each game and I am very happy with what it looks like. We are sniffing out all the teams in this tournament.
– We will do our best to beat Montenegro and give France a good match in the final round. There is nothing else because it will move us forward, says Axnér.
Nathalie Hagman:
– Extremely bitter for not having anything to play for but we have two games left and as a Swede we will do everything possible to win them. Earnings are always needed and this builds self confidence.
Read more:
The dream of the European Championship was broken for Sweden: they fell against Denmark
