Sweden flattered to deceive for 42 minutes of their final group clash with Slovenia, before easing through the gears and claimed a 27:23 victory to knock their opponents out of the Olympics and securing a top-two finish in group A.
Heading into the final match, a quarter-final place was already in the bag for the Scandinavians, while Slovenia needed a win keep their dreams alive.
It showed in their play as they stormed into an early lead, led by Elizabeth Omoregie in attack. The Swedes looked lethargic and lacking in urgency as they missed an array of chances on the wings.
Eriksson takes her chance
With a 14:11 lead at the break, Ana Gros and pals laid the foundation for their desperately needed win and the beginning of the second half suggested nothing would change.
Evelina Eriksson has needed to bide her time at Paris 2024, riding the bench as no.1 keeper Johanna Bundsen enjoyed a world class series of performances. She was given her chance to shine in the second half and she took it with both hands, making eight saves at 50% and setting Sweden on a 9:1 run over a 10-minute period to break the game and break Slovenian hearts.
The win puts Sweden in the clubhouse lead, with Norway and Denmark still to play, and a top-two finish is guaranteed. It wasn’t the best day at the office, but a win is all that matters at this stage.