Sweden finished their 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship preliminary round campaign with their fourth win, this time over Nigeria. The victory took Sweden to eight points and clinched second place on the table, where they sit above France and Republic of Korea and behind Egypt – the other eighth-finalists from Group B. 

Nigeria are now sure to finish fifth, following their victory over Australia, and will play the President’s Cup. 

GROUP B
Sweden vs Nigeria 41:25 (21:14)

Nigeria kept within reach of their opponents until late in the first half, when Sweden’s superior strength started to show and they began to create a clearer advantage. The match was decided in the European side’s favour long before the final whistle, as they hit a 10-goal lead in the 37th minute, 26:16, and only continued to build on that. 

Sweden were led by a huge 13-goal game from Gustaf Wedberg, and three of their players tallied five goals or more. Nigeria’s top scorer was Victor Gbenga Rotibi, who contributed six goals for the African team. Sweden’s attacking efficiency was far higher, and Nigeria’s keepers had trouble stopping the shots against them. 

The Scandinavian team took the lead immediately, though the African team stayed close enough to have a chance initially. After 15 minutes, Sweden held a 10:7 advantage, and in the 20th, the distance stood at two goals, 13:11. Nigeria even closed the gap to one, 14:13, in the 23rd minute – but that was the end of the close contest. 

Sweden allowed Nigeria just one more goal in the half, while they pulled ahead to a seven-goal advantage at the break. Nigeria briefly decreased the deficit in the second period before Sweden firmly took the momentum, and once they reached a 10-goal lead, it was clear the outcome was decided. 

With 10 minutes remaining, the score stood at 33:22 for Sweden, and they celebrated their fourth set of points at the buzzer. 

Player of the match: Gustaf Wedberg, Sweden