Four times has Sweden been in the Olympic handball final. Just as many times has it ended with silver. Maybe it's time to break the silver curse in Paris?
It's absolutely not impossible, says Kim Andersson, one of Max's handball experts during the Olympics.
Kim Andersson was one of the big stars when Sweden took Olympic silver in London 2012 – the Swedish men's handball team's first Olympic medal since the "Bengan Boys", when Sweden with Bengt "Bengan" Johansson as national team captain played three consecutive Olympic finals 1992–2000.
When Andersson is now preparing for the Olympics in Paris, it's in a new role – as a TV expert.
This is a new chapter in my life, to sit on the side and try to talk to the people about handball. If I'm not just as nervous, almost, for this task. But it's going to be incredibly fun.
"An exciting cocktail"
He believes that both the Swedish women and men have a chance to fight for Olympic medals in Paris.
Looking at the latest championships, I don't see why you can't call Sweden a favorite or candidate to take an Olympic medal, on both the women's and men's sides. There are many young players who are coming up now who have taken their place in European handball, who are in good teams and have gotten routine, and together with those who have been around a bit longer, it becomes an exciting cocktail we have there.
The silver curse, will it be broken this year?
It's absolutely not impossible. It's not much that separates the teams at the top. Every time it hasn't gone Sweden's way, it's been small margins, so I sincerely hope it's this year, it would have been fantastically fun if Sweden gets to take that long-awaited Olympic gold.
Warning for Norway
However, there are several strong gold candidates. On the women's side, Andersson lifts up neighboring countries Norway and Denmark – and on the men's side, the reigning Olympic champions will be tough.
Looking at the women's side, Norway is incredibly strong. Denmark has sailed up, and Sweden is one of the candidates. The three, along with Hungary, who did well in the qualifiers, says Andersson and continues:
On the men's side, there's Denmark, and France with a home championship. It's clear that they're heavy, plus they're on home turf with the fans behind them. But I mean, Sweden, and Norway shouldn't be counted out either, there will absolutely be chances for Sweden.
Josefin Ulriksson/TT
Facts: Men's Handball Tournament in the Olympics
TT
Group A: Spain, Croatia, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Japan.
Group B: Denmark, Norway, Hungary, France, Egypt, Argentina.
The four top teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Sweden's matches (in Paris):
July 27: Germany (7:00 PM)
July 29: Spain (4:00 PM)
July 31: Slovenia (4:00 PM)
August 2: Croatia (2:00 PM)
August 4: Japan (9:00 AM)
Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will be played in Lille on August 7, 9, and 11, respectively.
Group A: Norway, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea.
Group B: Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, France, Brazil, Angola.
The four top teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Sweden's matches (in Paris):
July 25: Norway (9:00 PM)
July 28: Germany (2:00 PM)
July 30: Denmark (9:00 PM)
August 1: South Korea (11:00 AM)
August 3: Slovenia (4:00 PM)
Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will be played in Lille on August 6, 8, and 10, respectively.
