Sweden haven’t beaten Denmark in a competitive match since 2017’s World Championship.
Linn Blohm admitted to Handbollskanalen yesterday that the reason behind their struggles against this bogey team may be mental. But this time must have felt different, Sweden have looked excellent to date and Denmark looked ripe for the picking after being dismantled by Norway on Sunday.
The start to this contest definitely wouldn’t have helped their confidence as they looked flat and uninspired, while Denmark took full advantage to lead 6:1 after just eight minutes.
A pair of long-range Jenny Carlsson efforts kicked Sweden into life and they were soon back on track, backed by a string of Johanna Bundsen stops, and from there is was a back-and-forth affair with neither side truly taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
We were all square with just over 10 minutes to play, Denmark with a chance to take the lead but suddenly their bold 7vs6 strategy royally backfired. Two open goals and a two-minute suspension shifted the match right back in the Swedes’ direction, ready for them to power home to that coveted first competitive win in over seven years. But no.
Fine margins
Denmark drag themselves back into it and snatch the lead. Suddenly all those thoughts of what always seems to happen between these teams creep into all our minds – it’s tight, but Denmark will win.
A draw would be more than enough for Sweden to hold control of the group and they have almost a minute to find that goal. But with 30 seconds remaining, Tyra Axnér sniffs her opportunity.
It hadn’t been her day until now, going 2 from 7, but that didn’t stop her from releasing a shot from 11 metres out. It cracks the frame of the goal and stays out. Make that 2 from 8.
Denmark go down the other end and Emma Friis adds the cherry on the icing on the cake – a 25:23 win that will feel very sweet after the heavy loss to Norway.
This response from the Danes is a true sign of mental strength, also considering how they bounced back from the empty net goals to finish the match with a 4:0 run in the final seven minutes.
Sweden are now likely to finish second in the group and their path to a medal still looks bright, but tonight may feel like a metaphorical missed empty net chance.