Sweden Unveils New Handball Squad for December Championship
Sweden head coach Tomas Axnér named an 18-player squad featuring nine new faces compared to the team that played the World Championship a year ago, as dn.se reported. The roster turnover follows a wave of departures, injuries, and pregnancies among veterans that left half of last year’s World Championship lineup unavailable for the upcoming European Championship.
The squad announcement marks a major generational shift for the national team. Jamina Roberts, Nathalie Hagman, and Anna Lagerquist have all ended their international careers, while veterans Linn Blohm, Linn Hansson, and goalkeeper Filippa Idéhn are pregnant.
Expectations Shift Following Veteran Exits
Sweden travel to the tournament with expectations dialed back after a disappointing 15th-place finish at last year’s World Championship.
The Swedish Handball Federation has its sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The intervening two years focus on developing the younger group, with the team targeting a return to the top-six tier and medal contention in the near future.
Nina Koppang Returns After Mental Health Break
Nina Koppang returns to the national team squad after pausing her career in the spring due to mental health struggles, Aftonbladet reported. The 24-year-old right back broke her contract with Danish club Esbjerg, moved home to Sweden, and returned to club play with Sävehof at the start of the season.
Axnér highlighted Koppang’s physical presence and explosiveness as key assets that will add variety to the team’s offense and create space for her teammates. Her return displaces Isabel van Kerkvoorde, who filled her spot during the year.
Six Debutants Join Tournament Roster Alongside Surprise Pick
The squad features six players set for their first major championship: Stina Littorin, Emma Olsson, Isabelle Rydén, Hanna Lundvall, Charité Mumbongo, and Emma Wahlström, Aftonbladet reported. Wahlström emerged as a surprise selection at center-back after impressing as a reserve during the previous national team gathering.
Olsson returns to contention at age 29 after missing the autumn schedule with an injury. Expressen detailed the full squad breakdown, including experienced anchors such as goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen, who has 184 international appearances and 18 goals, Mathilda Lundström with 100 international matches and 145 goals, and Emma Lindqvist. Axnér also selected four extra players for the pre-camp starting on November 23 in Halmstad: Isabel van Kerkvoorde, Klara Bergling, Selma Hestner Olsson, and Stina Wiksfors. Sweden additionally plays Iceland in a double international friendly during the preparation on November 26 in Malmö and November 28 in Halmstad.
Group Stage Opponents and Tournament Schedule
The European Championship runs from December 3 to December 20, 2026, across host cities in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Romania. Sweden opens its group stage campaign in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Sydsvenskan outlined Sweden’s group schedule:
- December 4: Sweden vs. Germany
- December 6: Sweden vs. Slovakia
- December 8: Serbia vs. Sweden
Germany, which captured the World Championship silver medal last year, enters as the group favorite alongside expected runner-up Sweden. The two best teams from groups A, B and C advance to the main round in Cluj-Napoca, the two best teams from groups D, E and F advance to the main round in Katowice, and the final will be played in Katowice.