Sweden’s women are ready to rumble
Helle Thomsen and Thomas Sivertsson, who form the Danish-Swedish coaching duo behind Sweden’s female national team, had all 16 names ready, when they announced their squad for the EHF EURO 2014 at a press conference on Wednesday.
Sweden are going to play their preliminary group matches in Varazdin in Croatia, where their opponents are hosts Croatia as well as Germany and the Netherlands.
"That is a very tough group, and so is the main round group we end up in, if advance.
"There, teams like Montenegro, France and Serbia may be waiting for us,” Helle Thomsen said at the press conference.
The only small surprise in the roster of 16 was the fact that both goalkeepers from IK Sävehof, Filippa Idehn and Johanna Bundsen, were nominated.
It did not take long, before the first spontaneous reactions came from some of the other players who were nominated.
"I'm just so proud and happy to be going to represent my country at yet another great championship," line player Ulrika Aagren said on Instagram.
Another player, back court player Ida Oden from Sävehof, was particularly happy that the final squad was nominated so early.
"It means a lot to me to know in so good time, also because I work besides playing handball, and this gives me time to plan things regarding my job as well," Oden told ehf-euro.com.
Test matches against the world champions
The Swedish squad will be gathering for their final training camp on the 27. November and play two test matches against world champions Brazil on the 2 and 4 December.
"We are very happy that we got Brazil to come to Sweden for those two matches. Testing against the world champions is the best we could hope for," said Thomas Sivertsson.
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / ts