Sweden's medal dream in the summer's Olympic Games was crushed in the bronze match when it became a clear loss against Denmark in Lille.
In just over a month, the next championship awaits – the European Championship in Hungary, Switzerland, and Austria.
Before that, Sweden will play double international matches against both Spain and Poland. In Thursday's first meeting with the Spanish, the Swedish team did not need to exert themselves.
After ten minutes, Spain reduced the score to 5–6, but then Sweden and goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen shut out the opponents for nearly nine minutes.
The home team responded with six straight goals and the match was decided. National team coach Tomas Axnér could rest the team and Sweden led with a crushing 24–10 already after the first half.
It looks good. Have we scored 24 goals? That's great, says left-back Clara Lerby, who was called up to the squad after Linn Hansson withdrew due to illness.
Ålborg player Lerby is back in the national team after tearing her cruciate ligament in early 2022 (for the second time). Now she is the top scorer in the tough Danish league.
I'm just enjoying it. I think it's really fun to play handball, extra fun in the national team, says Lerby.
Sweden did not impress as much in the second half, but in the end, it was a clear victory with 40–24. The top scorer for Sweden became center-back Linn Blohm with six goals.
Sweden and Spain, which has many debutants in its squad, will meet again on Saturday in Gävle. On Thursday next week, Axnér will announce his European Championship squad.
+ International matches and squad selection
24/10: Spain (Eskilstuna)
26/10: Spain (Gävle)
31/10: The European Championship squad is presented.
23/11: Poland (Ystad)
24/11: Poland (Lund).
+ European Championship in Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary
28/11: North Macedonia.
30/11: Hungary.
2/12: Turkey.
Sweden plays its group stage and potential intermediate round in Debrecen, Hungary. The two top teams in six four-team groups advance to the intermediate round, where two six-team groups are created.
The two top teams in the six-team groups advance to the semifinals, which, like the medal matches, are played in Vienna, Austria.
The European Championship takes place from 28 November to 15 December.
