Sweden see Iceland as perfect testing opponent

Today (9 October) and on Saturday (11 October) the women’s national team of Sweden are intensifying their preparations ahead of the EHF EURO 2014 in Croatia and Hungary in December.

Sweden, who will be facing Croatia, Germany and Netherlands in Group C in Varazdin at the final tournament, are playing two friendlies against Iceland on these two days.

Throw-off times are 20:15 hrs for today’s match and 19:15 hrs (both local time) for the Saturday encounter.

Even though Iceland did not qualify for the EHF EURO this time, Sweden’s coach Thomas Sivertsson sees them as perfect sparring partner for his team at the moment.

"We see them as a highly qualified opponent at this point. Actually, there were pretty close to qualifying for the European Championship, and they were rather unlucky not to do so," he says.

"Furthermore, we have nominated a rather big squad for this week´s training camp, and we would like to see as many players as possible in action.

"For instance, Sabina Jacobsen and Linn Blohm have only returned to active duty recently after long injury breaks, and it is important to get them back in action and integrated in the team again," explains Sivertsson who is in charge of the Swedish team together the with Dane Helle Thomsen, who is also coaching the Danish league team FC Midtjylland.

Almost back to full strength

After having been bothered by injury troubles throughout last season, the Swedish national team now seems to be almost back at full strength.

"Yes, right now we are only missing Maria Adler who is bothered by a shoulder injury, but apart from her, we have no injury problems at present," says Sivertsson.

The matches against Iceland come at the end of a one week training camp for the Swedish squad who will meet again on 26 November for some last EHF EURO 2014 preparations which will include two test matches against World champions Brazil.