Felix Claar's season can be summed up with one word:
Best.
Even in the whole world?
No, if you say that, you're being a bit too kind, says Claar.
It's been a year since Felix Claar left Ålborg for German Magdeburg. He came to a newly crowned Champions League champion and immediately started playing a key role on the handball court.
Before the Olympics in Paris, Claar can look back on a season where almost everything has gone his way. Claar has been named the best player of the year in Magdeburg, the best center back in Bundesliga – "the world's best league" – and the player of the year in Swedish handball.
If someone had said that to me before the season, I would have laughed and said it was a joke. It's absolutely my best season in my career, says Claar.
Ten years have passed since then, and now we meet in Cologne in connection with the Champions League "final four" in early June. For Magdeburg, the dream of defending the title dies immediately, with the surprising semifinal loss to Ålborg – in the same arena where Sweden lost the European Championship semifinal to France earlier this year.
"Got it right"
These are two heavy, but rare, setbacks that don't change the world's image of Felix Claar.
Ålborg's Henrik Møllgaard is one who doesn't hold back with praise for his former teammate.
I'm glad I got it right early that Felix can become the world's best handball player. I said it maybe when I was drunk – but I got it right, says Møllgaard.
The Danish giant continues:
But Felix doesn't really want to wear that hat, he's very humble. He doesn't take up much space in the room. But on the handball court, he's a crazy dynamo who can do everything in both ends of the court. He's so clever and plays at an incredibly high level under pressure.
Felix Claar remembers Møllgaard's early prediction:
Haha, yes, we've had those conversations, and I have a memory of him saying that when we won the league for the first time in Ålborg. That's probably what he's referring to.
What do you think when people say you're the best in the world?
No, if you say that, you're being a bit too kind. I think I'm somewhere near the top. But the very best? There's still a bit left. I would have liked to score more easy goals with shots from outside, says Claar.
Who do you think is the best?
I think Mathias Gidsel is.
"Quiet leader"
Gidsel's Denmark, Claar's Sweden, and host nation France will together carry the favorite tag at the Olympics. If Sweden is to reach all the way and take a historic first gold, much depends on Felix Claar peaking in form. His role in the Swedish national team will only grow, even if the responsibility as center back is shared with Jim Gottfridsson.
If Jim is the emotional leader, then Felix is more of a quiet leader. But he's definitely a leader, without a doubt, says Magdeburg's coach Bennet Wiegert.
His development in one year in Magdeburg is just fantastic. It was crazy to see how he just found himself immediately – despite a new club, a new language, a new league. We're very happy to have extended his contract.
Despite the increased star status, Claar is in many ways the same Felix who debuted in the handball league as a teenager.
I don't bother with tactics meetings and time-outs, others can do that. It's probably been the same throughout my career.
Felix Claar shows the way on the court instead. How far it takes him this summer will hopefully not be decided until the last day of the Olympics, August 11.
The final will be played in Lille.
Born: January 5, 1997.
Mother club: Norrköpings HK.
Clubs as senior: Alingsås, Ålborg, Magdeburg.
Position: Center back.
National team appearances/goals: 74/196.
Among national team merits: European Championship gold 2022, World Championship silver 2021, European Championship bronze 2024.
Among club merits: Has won the league in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.
Individual merits: Has this past season been named the Swedish player of the year, the player of the year in Magdeburg, and the best center back in Bundesliga.
