Axnér: “I think I’m talking to a camera”
Published 2025-11-30 00.31
The Handball WC in Stuttgart is a crowd success.
But after the matches,somewhat bizarre scenes take place at the press conferences.
- We are sitting there but no one is there, says Tomas Axnér resignedly.
The Swedish handball ladies are used to playing group stage matches in the World Cup in front of a few hundred spectators, unless Sweden organizes the tournament itself or you meet the host nation.
But in the beginning of this year’s World Cup, where Sweden plays in Stuttgart, they have played in front of a wholly different soundstage despite having met two weak teams with a given outcome.When they won clearly against the Czech Republic…
Sweden’s Royal family Faces New Scrutiny After Shocking Documentary
Stockholm, Sweden – The Swedish royal family is reeling after the release of a controversial documentary that alleges a series of previously undisclosed financial dealings and questionable relationships. The documentary, titled “The Crown’s Shadow,” aired on national television last night and has sparked a national debate about the monarchy’s openness and accountability.
The film, produced by investigative journalist Anna Svensson, presents evidence suggesting that King Carl XVI Gustaf and other members of the royal family have benefited from offshore accounts and received gifts from individuals with ties to organized crime. while the allegations haven’t been definitively proven, the documentary features leaked documents, anonymous sources, and interviews with former palace staff who claim to have witnessed inappropriate behaviour.
“We wanted to shed light on the hidden side of the Swedish monarchy,” Svensson stated in a press conference following the broadcast. “For to long, the royal family has operated with a level of secrecy that is unacceptable in a modern democracy.”
The most damaging claims in the documentary center around a series of large financial transfers made to accounts linked to the King in the early 2000s.The source of these funds remains unclear, but the documentary alleges they originated from a businessman with known connections to the mafia. The film also details allegations of lavish gifts, including luxury cars and jewelry, received by members of the royal family from individuals seeking favors.
The Royal Court has vehemently denied the allegations, issuing a statement calling the documentary “a malicious and unfounded attack on the reputation of the King and the royal family.” They have announced they are launching their own internal investigation and are considering legal action against Svensson and the television network that aired the program.
“These claims are simply false and based on speculation and misinformation,” the statement read. “The King has always acted with the utmost integrity and in the best interests of Sweden.”
However,the damage may already be done. Public opinion polls conducted after the broadcast show a notable drop in support for the monarchy.Calls for increased transparency and stricter financial regulations for the royal family are growing louder, with several political parties demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the allegations.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the Swedish royal family, which has been working to modernize its image and remain relevant in a rapidly changing society. The future of the monarchy in Sweden now hangs in the balance as the nation grapples with the revelations presented in “The Crown’s Shadow.”
Sweden’s Handball Coach Criticizes “Meaningless” World Cup Press Conferences After Dominant Win Over Cuba
Sweden’s men’s handball coach,Glenn Axnér,expressed frustration with the format of press conferences at the current World Cup,describing them as potentially “pointless” after a 46-17 victory over Cuba on november 29,2023. The comments, reported by Sportbladet, highlight a long-standing issue with the event’s media procedures.
Axnér noted the logistical challenges of communicating through multiple interpreters – Spanish and German were required for the recent match – adding time to already sparsely attended briefings. He stated he simply follows instructions, often speaking to a camera with uncertainty about whether anyone is actually watching.
This isn’t a new complaint. Sportbladet reported that concerns about the value of these press conferences were raised two years ago when Sweden hosted the World Cup. At that time,then-press manager Mats Olsson proposed replacing them with fast TV interviews with team captains,a suggestion that was not adopted.
The situation is in contrast to the European Handball Championships (EHC), where press conferences have been largely eliminated until the final weekend. Axnér is also restricted from sending assistant coach johanna Wiberg to the press conferences, and skipping them himself carries a significant fine from the international federation.
Despite the frustrations with the media obligations, Axnér was pleased with his team’s performance against Cuba, utilizing the possibility to give playing time to a wider range of players. He described the dynamic of such lopsided matches as a no-win situation, stating, “It’s like driving a car out of a car wash in a hail storm. You have nothing to gain by playing this type of match.” He explained that a large win is criticized if it isn’t large enough,while a closer scoreline is seen as a sign of poor performance.
Keep reading