Fresh Champions League winner with Barcelona and praised by national team teammates.
Yet he is somewhat of a hidden gem, left-hander Jonathan Carlsbogård.
He may not get the headlines he deserves sometimes, considering there are other big profiles in the team that the media would rather write about.
That's what Jim Gottfridsson, one of those big profiles, says. There are plenty of them in the national handball team.
The sun beats down on several of them in the hotel's small courtyard. Here, in what is called Sweden Arena, the Swedish Olympic Committee has its base during the Olympics.
Felix Claar, Andreas Palicka, and Gottfridsson are doing interviews. So is Carlsbogård nowadays.
It's not strange that they get attention. That comes naturally, but it's not something I think about or strive for. The team always comes first, says the 29-year-old.
"A role I appreciate"
He made his championship debut in 2021. Three years later, he has grown into a key player.
I've got a role that I appreciate and have a good relationship with Glenn (Solberg, national coach) and the other players. I've got a lot of responsibility and trust, which I like.
Gottfridsson, the team's heart and brain, emphasizes how important a cog Carlsbogård is in the national team.
We and everyone who knows handball know his importance. He's a two-way player, very important for our defense. In the attack, I think he's the best in the world at coming wide. A very complete player.
Carlsbogård is one of many effective weapons in the national team's arsenal. They're not more than before, according to Gottfridsson – and that's not needed either. More important is that everyone is well-calibrated and functional now that the fight for Olympic medals is underway.
Many complain sometimes about Glenn, that he picks the same squad. Experts come from left and right and say that this and that player should be included.
When we stand here, we feel safe with the squad we have. We have several options. We can change the game when we want or need to during the match.
In the world of dreams
Gottfridsson sees the Olympics – starting with the match against Germany on Saturday – as the beginning of the new season.
In the world of dreams, you hope to take the noblest medal. Two days after the final, I'll be in Germany.
How do you cope?
It's just a matter of putting your head down and going for it.
Carlsbogård on the same theme:
It's very much about the on and off switch. When we're on training and matches, we're on. Then it's very important to let go, rest, breathe, and think about something else.
Goalkeepers:
Andreas Palicka, Paris Saint-Germain
Tobias Thulin, Pick Szeged
Mikael Appelgren, Rhein-Neckar Löwen (reserve)
Left wing:
Hampus Wanne, Barcelona
Lucas Pellas, Montpellier
Center back:
Max Darj, Füchse Berlin
Oscar Bergendahl, Magdeburg
Felix Möller, Ålborg (reserve)
Right wing:
Daniel Pettersson, Magdeburg
Sebastian Karlsson, Montpellier
Left back:
Jonathan Carlsbogård, Barcelona
Karl Wallinius, Kiel
Center back:
Felix Claar, Magdeburg
Jim Gottfridsson, Flensburg-Handewitt
Jonathan Edvardsson, Hannover-Burgdorf (reserve)
Right back:
Albin Lagergren, Magdeburg
Lukas Sandell, Veszprem
National coach: Glenn Solberg.
Sweden's matches in Paris:
July 27: Germany (19.00).
July 29: Spain (16.00)
July 31: Slovenia (16.00)
August 2: Croatia (14.00)
August 4: Japan (09.00)
The top four teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals. In the other group (B), Denmark, Norway, Hungary, France, Egypt, and Argentina will play.
Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will be played in Lille on August 7, 9, and 11, respectively.
