Not for the first time in Paris 2024, Johanna Bunsdsen was the hero for Sweden. Her 22 saves at 42% made the difference as they overcame a stiff Hungary challenge, winning 36:32 after 70 minutes of nail-biting action.
Headline players on song
Jamina Roberts has had a quiet championship based on the high standards she’s set in recent years but she looked back to her very best at the start of this game, scoring two and forcing a turnover in the opening three minutes.
While this tournament has seen the emergence of Nina Koppang and Tyra Axnér to lighten the burden on Roberts, the situation has remained much the same for their opponents – if Katrin Klujber is on form, Hungary have a chance.
And Klujber began with three goals to help her side settle into the game, though they would soon look very unsettled with a series of soft turnovers.
This allowed Sweden control at the quarter-hour mark and they opened up a three-goal lead, which they were good value for at the time. However, Sweden began to make mistakes of their own at both ends, allowing Petra Vámos to have her say on the contest.
Sweden led by just 16:15 at the break, which must have been a minor disappointment, and we’re left to wonder if that would come back to haunt them.
Fear of defeat
Neither side enjoyed a spell of dominance in the third quarter, the nerves looked to be settling in as goals were harder to come by. Klujber forced the issue for Hungary, finishing on 11 goals, while Sweden continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
With 10 minutes left to play and Hungary up by one, Sweden deployed their new 7vs6 attack with four back court players. Hungary’s response was to step up, leaving themselves exposed on the line and it was exploited by Linn Blohm immediately.
It wasn’t enough to separate the teams as neither looked particularly convincing in the final minutes. The match had extra-time written all over it and when 23-year-old Vámos and 22-year-old Koppang exchanged late goals, we were given just that.
Extra-time excellence
Elin Hansson has arguably been the weak link for Sweden at this event, the only recognised left winger with modest shooting stats. Hungary appeared to afford her plenty of space, which she made them pay for at the start of extra-time with two quick goals. This coupled with three Johanna Bundsen saves and the Scandinavians were back in the driving seat.
It took Hungary eight minutes of extra-time to register their first goal, too little, too late. Sweden dug deep to display mental toughness and class, sending themselves through to Thursday’s semi-final against the hosts.