The day in the usually crowded handball arena in Paris began with Croatia defeating Germany. A result that certainly increased the blue and yellow team's chances of finishing as group winners, but which also made the group a highly uncertain affair where every team has suffered at least one defeat.
And now the situation is highly uncertain for Sweden – which has suffered two defeats.
Poor start
The blue and yellow team got off to a bad start in the match against Slovenia right from the beginning. It was sloppy and stressful, and national team coach Glenn Solberg looked worried early on as he paced back and forth along the sidelines.
After 20 minutes, Slovenia, led by the brilliant Blaz Janc, was leading 11–6.
Slovenia is better than us in most things today, says Sweden's national team coach Glenn Solberg to Max after the match.
Still, Sweden was almost caught up, 14–15, after the first half. But when the chase continued after the break, Jim Gottfridsson was instead given a red card. Mittnian's elbow hit Dean Bombac on the neck, and after a video review, Gottfridsson had to leave the arena.
I shouldn't really comment on it, but if it's going to have big consequences, then there are many situations in handball that should have bigger consequences, he says to Max after the match.
Bleak performance
A little later, it was Blaz Blagotinsek who was given a red card after hitting Felix Claar in the eye area. Shortly after, Slovenia pulled away to a five-goal lead again.
Klemen Ferlin, who had come into Slovenia's goal in the break, was phenomenal and gave himself a huge advantage over the Swedish shooters. And Blaz Janc was already up to ten goals when he scored 23–18.
Sweden, which came to the Olympic Games in Paris with dreams of taking a historic gold, was meanwhile putting in one of the bleakest performances seen during Solberg's time as national team coach.
Fifth in the group
With two rounds left of the group stage, Sweden is only fifth in the group, currently outside a spot in the quarterfinals.
Friday's fight against Croatia will be a thriller that can decide Sweden's further Olympic fate. Then the Swedes will conclude the group stage against Japan, the only team with zero points, on Sunday.
Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, all four points.
Sweden, two points.
Japan, zero points.
The four best teams advance to the quarterfinals.
Remaining matches, Friday: Croatia-Sweden, Germany-Spain, Slovenia-Japan.
Sunday: Sweden-Japan, Germany-Slovenia, Spain-Croatia.
