The last IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship marked the worst outcome in Sweden’s history in this competition. For the first time, they did not make it into the top 10, although they finished with a victory against Norway to grab rank eleven. 

This year at Croatia 2023, it will be most unlikely to see the young Swedish team failing to finish in the top 10 teams of the tournament. At the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 in Montenegro, Sweden made their way all up to the final in which they met Spain – again. They had already faced Spain in the preliminary round and had lost by seven goals. The final was more even, but in the end Spain won the trophy and Sweden were left with the silver medal. 

One player stood out not only during the final but throughout the whole tournament. Centre back Alex Månsson produced one of the best performances in a final of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO, scoring 13 goals. He was named All-star centre back and was the top scorer for his team and third best scorer of the competition with 54 goals.

Pelle Segertoft, who was elected as the best defender at the Men’s 18 EHF EURO, will not be part of the World Championship squad. Head coach Björn Sätherström already announced his 16 selected players. Among the squad will be the Arvid Larsson as well as some other World Championship debutants.  

To prepare for the 10th edition of the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship, the Swedish team will play the Scandinavian Open where they will face Denmark, Egypt and Norway from 24 to 26 July before they will travel to Croatia. 

In Group H they will meet familiar faces from the Faroe Islands. They had played the opening match of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 against the Faroe Islands and won by three goals. The group is completed by the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship runners-up Islamic Republic of Iran and newcomer Burundi. 

Key players: Axel Månsson (centre back), Linus Gustavsson (right back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 – 2nd

History in tournament: 2007: 3rd, 2009: 3rd, 2011: 3rd, 2013: 6th, 2015: 5th, 2017: 5th, 2019: 11th 

Group at Croatia 2023: Group H (Sweden, Islamic Republic of Iran, Faroe Islands, Burundi)