Sweden silence critics with a commanding win despite Czechia’s shining star
Sweden launched their Germany/Netherlands 2025 campaign in style, overcoming a spirited Czech side 31:23 in an intense Group G clash. The result pushes the Swedes one step closer to the main round—but the road wasn’t as smooth as the scoreline suggests.
GROUP G
Sweden vs Czechia 31:23 (17:13)
At first glance, Sweden entered as clear favorites. Yet, in the opening minutes, that prediction seemed shaky. Czechia stunned them early, surging to a 2:0 lead with strikes from Dominika Zachová and Kamila Kordovská. But momentum can shift fast in handball. Sweden regrouped instantly, producing a powerful 5:0 run as Czechia’s missed chances and turnovers began to pile up.
The Scandinavians managed to stay ahead for much of the first half, though a brief scare arrived when Charlotte Cholevová’s hot streak fueled a Czech 3:0 comeback to tie the score at 10:10. That was the turning point. Coach Tomas Axnér called a timely time-out that reignited Sweden’s rhythm. Soon after, they replied with their own 3:0 run, propelled by Jenny Carlson’s sharp return from injury and three late first-half goals from winger Clara Lerby. By halftime, they enjoyed a four-goal cushion and a noticeable confidence boost.
After the restart, both teams struggled to find the net during the first five minutes, raising tension on the court. Then Czechia fought back again, with Veronika Malá leading a 3:0 burst that narrowed Sweden’s lead to a single goal, 17:16. Adding to the excitement, Czech goalkeeper Sabrina Novotná put on a spectacular show—her 17 saves and fearless reflexes earned her the hummel Player of the Match award. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite Novotná’s brilliance, her teammates couldn’t keep the tempo high enough to challenge Sweden in the home stretch.
Swedish goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen made sure her side didn’t lose control, answering with critical saves of her own. With her help, Sweden rebuilt their four-goal gap by the 47th minute, standing firm at 25:21. For a while, neither team could score again—a stalemate broken only when Lerby nailed a precise 7-meter shot to push Sweden further ahead.
In the final minutes, the Czech squad’s energy drained as Sweden took full command. Bundsen closed the match with 12 saves and an impressive 34% save rate. Ten Swedish players scored, reflecting the team’s depth and cohesion, while Lerby and Emma Lindkvist shared the spotlight with six goals each.
hummel Player of the Match: Sabrina Novotná (Czechia)
Sweden’s dominant finish leaves one question hanging: was this an early statement of intent for a deep tournament run—or just a lucky start against a tired Czech side that ran out of steam? What do you think—was Novotná’s performance wasted in defeat, or did Sweden simply prove too organized to stop?
