Brazil’s victory confirms Sweden’s WC fiasco: “Go home and feel ashamed”

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Sweden’s World Championship fiasco was complete.The national team lost to Brazil, thereby missing out on the World Cup playoffs for the first time since 2013.
– We should go home and feel ashamed, said head coach Michael Apelgren on Swedish TV6.

The reactions after Sweden’s loss have been strong. Albin Lagergren called it “Totally f***ing worthless” on TV, and Jim Gottfridsson elaborated in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

– It feels like we players are running with the handbrake on or a brick in our shoe. That can’t happen. For f***’s sake, go out and enjoy it! We’re playing for the Swedish national team. We’re privileged. In Sweden, we’re spoiled with the results we’ve achieved over time. But we can’t just run around here and act like cowards, said Gottfridsson.

The national team’s head coach was also critical, particularly of himself.

– We’ve been uncertain about where we stand heading into this tournament. We took on this assignment in a unique and late manner, and since we started, I’ve felt that it’s been difficult. Very, very difficult. I’m not insanely surprised, although I am extremely disappointed, said Michael Apelgren to the TT news agency. He continued:

– It’s a failure that we’re eliminated now, and I take full responsibility for that.

Brazil’s victory means that a South American team will play in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever. Only Egypt, Qatar, and Tunisia have, as non-European countries, reached the World Cup quarterfinals in men’s handball during the 21st century, writes handball expert Rasmus Boysen.

https://twitter.com/RasmusBoysen92/status/1882869013669114107