Swedish international and 2021 World Championship silver medallist Alfred Jönsson has admitted that he has considered switching nations someday.
The Skjern back court player qualifies for the USA having been born in Cary, North Carolina, but says his primary focus is on returning to the Swedish national team.
Jönsson burst onto the international scene at the 2021 World Championship in Egypt, just two months after making his senior debut. Injuries and form have seen him drop out of the squad and he has had no real contact with the team in recent years.
“No sad faces, I’m just fighting every day to get back to that stage,” said Jönsson on Monday night, speaking to the (Un)informed Handball Hour podcast.
Whether that stage is with Sweden or the USA remains to be seen. USA coach Robert Hedin has expressed his desire to get the versatile back court player, who turns 26 on Wednesday, on board and he admits “of course, I’m thinking about America as well. It would be an exciting thing to do, they have something going on there.”
Jönsson’s club side Skjern face IK Sävehof this evening in a crucial European League match. When comparing life playing handball in Sweden, Germany and Denmark, his current climate suits him best, explaining “at Skjern it’s a just good vibe, we love each other. It’s more like a community here.”
Listen to the full interview below, beginning at the 23:45 minute mark.