Never mind the Bengan Boys, it was the Backup Boys who were the heroes for the Swedes, delivering a desperately needed win over Croatia on Friday afternoon, with Jonathan Carlsbogård and Jonathan Edvardsson running the attack with ease en route to a 38:27 win.
With no Felix Claar (injury) and Jim Gottfridsson (suspension), all signs were pointing to a difficult day at the office for Glenn Solberg’s gang and a slow start to the contest suggested as much.
Full of venom and celebrating every small success, Croatia surged into a 6:2 lead and maintained that advantage until the quarter-hour mark with Dominik Kuzmanovic reading the Swedish shots with ease and the lack of shape in the Scandinavian side’s attack apparent once again.
Taking control
That wouldn’t be the case for long, however, as the much-changed team began to back themselves, found their way through the Croatian resistance and went on a game-busting 8:2 run with six different goalscorers. Carlsbogård, Edvardsson and Karl Wallinius had full control of the centre and left back positions and they thrived under the freedom and responsibility it brought.
From there, they never looked back, tearing the opposition defence to shreds time after time and Croatia simply had no reply.
Lucas Pellas was scoring for fun and so was everyone else for that matter as Sweden opened up a double-digit lead and allowed themselves to cruise to victory.
The frustrating thing for Sweden’s men at this tournament is that they show two completely different sides of themselves every two days. The flow that was present against Croatia today was non-existent two days prior, but perhaps this result will set the record straight.
Slow bicycle race
To have 10 of your 13-man squad score in a game like this is a true statement of the trust in the full squad and will undoubtedly have a positive effect when the two big dogs, Claar and Gottfridsson return to the fold.
As for the Backup Boys, Carlsbogård’s new role brought him 4 goals and 6 assists, Edvardsson had 3 goals and 3 assists and Karl Wallinius had 4 goals and 1 assist, a great day at the office.
This group is beginning to have the vibe of a slow bicycle race as five teams battle for four quarter-final places but at the same time are wary of finishing first, where France is likely to be the “reward” waiting for them in Lille. All will become clear on Sunday with both of these teams right in the mix.