National team star. But also daughter to the national team captain.
Tyra and Tomas Axnér have had to work on their relationship, but have found a good balance.
Sometimes I don't even think about it. She's just a girl with a ponytail, jokes Tomas Axnér.
There were probably many who waited nervously on June 4, when Tomas Axnér would present which 14 players would get the chance in the Swedish Olympic team.
It concerned Tyra Axnér as well. You don't even get any advance tips as the daughter of the national team captain, she says with a big laugh.
No, really not. I'm always nervous before a selection, to see if I'm included or not, she says.
Tyra Axnér made her national team debut in the European Championship qualifiers in 2022. By then, her father Tomas had already been national team captain for two years.
Now the duo is facing their third major championship together and has over the years found a more and more correct balance in their relationship, thinks the 22-year-old.
In the beginning, it was a very new situation for both us and everyone around us. Should we talk about it? Should we joke about it? she says.
Now I think we've found a much better balance, even though it was never bad. But it's something we've had to work on.
Dad or national team captain?
Dad Tomas is on the same track.
It's clear that in the beginning, you also know that others are studying how this situation works. Is he dad or is he national team captain? he says.
It's easy then to become a bit too distant.
The relationship is now, however, not really different from between any player and coach, he continues.
It's a bit funny to say, but she's just one of them. A girl with a ponytail, I've said sometime. Sometimes I don't even think about it anymore and it's a pretty nice feeling.
Gets to give tips
Even the reactions from the outside have changed, according to Tyra Axnér.
In connection with her first national team selections, there were some comments on social media about the father-daughter relationship. But now it has rather turned to her giving advice to others who also have a parent as a coach.
It's clear that people who don't know handball may have other thoughts. But I've experienced more positive things now, she says.
People come up and ask me for tips. It's fun to be able to relate to that group, who also have parents involved in the same sport.
