A five-time European champion and a four-time World champion, Sweden have established themselves as one of the top teams in the world in men’s handball, with consistent performances over the last decades. A resurgence has been felt in the last years, with Sweden securing the title at the EHF EURO 2022, finishing fourth at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship and third at the EHF EURO 2024.

The bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2024, where they beat Germany in the last match, was also the ticket for Paris 2024 for Sweden, as the top two sides in Europe, France and Denmark, were already qualified for the Olympic Games, the former as hosts and the latter as world champions.

Such an established side has not won the title at the Olympic Games, finishing second and clinching the silver medal four times, at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and at London 2012, with the famous “Bengan Boys” generation falling short of securing the last title remaining to complete Sweden’s trophy cabinet.

But now, the Scandinavian powerhouse is eager to compete once again and try to clinch their maiden gold medal at the Olympic Games at Paris 2024, with a fantastic generation, a true team, which can defy pressure and odds and mount superb challenges on the court.

The current crop of players are in their prime, with centre back Jim Gottfridsson, a two-time EHF EURO MVP, leading Sweden on the court, at his third edition of the Olympic Games. But Glenn Solberg’s side looks well-rounded, with one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Andreas Palicka, excellent weapons in their back line, like Felix Claar and Jonathan Carlsbogård, as well as with experienced wings like Hampus Wanne and Daniel Pettersson in their extended squad.

One big absence for Sweden will be left back Erik Johansson, a true powerhouse in the back line, who decided to undergo a knee surgery and miss nearly three months, rendering his chances to play at Paris 2024 to zero.

“The Olympics are big and I think everyone dreams of experiencing it. We know how difficult it is to get to the Olympics, so we are very humble about the task and enter the summer with great motivation and belief in what we are doing. We dream of fighting for the medals, but we don't know yet what kind of teams the other countries will bring,” says Sweden’s coach, Glenn Solberg.

The Scandinavian side will face a tough challenge in Group A at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with four other European sides in the group – Croatia, Germany, Slovenia and Spain. Sweden faced Spain in the bronze medal match at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, conceding a loss, while delivering a win in the bronze medal match at the EHF EURO 2024 against Germany.

“What we know in advance is that there are two extremely tough groups and that all the quarter-finals will be tough. But our goal is to make our best championship ever and then we'll see how far it goes. When we are at our best, we know we can beat everyone,” adds Solberg.

Sweden

Coach: Glenn Solberg

Key players: Jim Gottfridsson (centre back), Andreas Palicka (goalkeeper), Felix Claar (centre back)

Qualification for Paris 2024: EHF EURO 2024: 3rd place

Previous appearances: 1972: 7th, 1984: 5th, 1988: 5th, 1992: Silver medal, 1996: Silver medal, 2000: Silver medal, 2012: Silver medal, 2016: 11th, 2020: 5th 

Group at Paris 2024: Group A: Spain, Croatia, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Japan