If the handball women got ten chances, they might win two matches against Norway.
It's not just anyone who says that. It's Sweden's team captain.
In other championships, it's been hard to find the level because we've started against weaker teams. It won't be a risk now, says Jamina Roberts ahead of the OS premiere.
Sweden's last OS match says it all about the level difference that has sometimes existed between the neighboring countries.
The bronze match in Tokyo three years ago ended with a brutal defeat. Norway won with a 17-goal margin (36–19).
As a whole, the Swedish OS effort was a success, but Linn Blohm still remembers that last match.
It was terrible. Lucky it was in the middle of the night so not many Swedes could see it, says the center back.
The Stars' Last Chance
Norway's national team is one of the handball world's giants and takes medals in almost all championships. During the 2000s, Sweden has lost 30 of 40 national team matches against the Norwegians, and the last Swedish victory came seven years ago.
Thursday's premiere task in Arena Paris Sud can't get much harder. Jamina Roberts is making her fourth OS tournament and admits that Sweden normally doesn't beat Norway. How many wins would it be on ten attempts?
Two, maybe? That's how it's looked, anyway, says Roberts.
You have to choose to see it positively. We hope to find our level directly in that match.
Norway crushed Denmark in their OS dress rehearsal last week (35–24). But several experienced stars like Nora Mørk (33 years old), Stine Bredal Oftedal (32), and Veronica Kristiansen (34) are still missing an OS gold.
I know that this championship is very important for them. It's the golden generation's last chance to take an OS gold. It's not certain that they'll play more OS, so they'll be very prepared and hungry, says Sweden's national team coach Tomas Axnér.
Dreaming of a Swedish Medal
With that said, Sweden, which has never taken an OS medal, may have drawn a winning lot by getting Norway in the premiere.
I think it's great for us to meet Norway so early. And also to get such good opposition directly. It makes us get into it much faster, says Linn Blohm.
What should one have for expectations on Sweden?
Now we've been close to a medal for so many years. But if we manage to come top three in the group and, assuming France wins their group, can avoid France in the quarterfinals – then we have all the opportunities to reach the semifinals and fight for medals.
Goalkeepers:
Johanna Bundsen, Sävehof, 145 A-national team matches/4 goals.
Evelina Eriksson, Bukarest, 32/1.
Left back:
Elin Hansson, Horsens, 74/184.
Center back:
Linn Blohm, Györi, 166/483.
Sofia Hvenfelt, Bietigheim, 28/35.
Right back:
Mathilda Lundström, Silkeborg, 79/123.
Nathalie Hagman, Ramnicu Valcea, 221/818.
Left wing:
Jamina Roberts, Vipers Kristiansand, 233/600.
Kristin Thorleifsdóttir, Horsens, 60/86.
Tyra Axnér, Nykøbing Falster, 34/56.
Center wing:
Carin Strömberg, Nantes, 146/221.
Jenny Carlson, Brest, 61/173.
Right wing:
Nina Koppang, Sävehof, 29/39.
Emma Lindqvist, Ikast, 88/178.
Reserves on site in Paris: Jessica Ryde (goalkeeper), Nantes, Linn Hansson (left back), Önnered, Olivia Löfqvist (center back), Storhamar.
