How handball has helped Sweden build connections across the world

Sweden have always been one of the teams to watch during the important men’s handball tournaments, having bounced back admirably after the loss in the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship final against Denmark with a gritty display that turned into a gold medal at the EHF EURO 2022, their first in 20 years in the European premium competition.

With five European titles, four IHF Men’s World Championship titles and 22 medals in the major tournaments, including four silver medals at the Olympic Games, the Scandinavian side are the most decorated in history.

A down-to-earth attitude and some charismatic players over the years meant that Sweden were, therefore, transformed into one of the darlings for the fans during the most important competitions, wooing plenty of non-Swedish fans to cheer for them. It did not translate, per se, into a cult following, but the Scandinavian side have now plenty of links with fans on other continents, especially in Africa and Asia.

One of them is Shinichi Murata, a Japanese fan who fell in love with Sweden when the golden generation of the Scandinavian side, the renowned ‘Bengan Boys’, secured the silver medal at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996.

The 43-year-old Japanese fan has been following the team with huge passion since that moment, as he first met his idols in 1997, when Sweden won the silver medal at the IHF Men’s World Championship in Japan.

Dressed in the complimentary Sweden’s shirt, Murata was there to cheer for his favourite side at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, but also on local soil, when the Sweden’s women’s national team competed in Kumamoto at the IHF Women’s World Championship in 2019 and the men’s team played two friendly games against Japan in 2019.

Murata, who shares the passion for the Sweden’s handball teams with his children, was also present at the entrance of the Yoyogi National Stadium at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, where both the Sweden senior men’s and women’s teams competed.

“As there were no fans allowed due to the COVID-19 regulations, they were always waiting for us to cheer when we got to the games. The level of support from him was amazing,” said Daniel Vandor, Sweden’s communication manager.

“The story is amazing, too bad they are now allowed to come in, so we can feel their support from the arena,” added Lucas Pellas, Sweden’s right back, in August 2020.

However, Shinichi was in luck, as the Swedish team acknowledged his passion and did not part without a gift. A national team shirt with autographs from both the men’s and the women’s teams and some memorabilia were the least that Sweden could do for their biggest Japanese fan before they finished their competition at Tokyo 2020.

The Egyptian connection

Sweden’s support was also reinforced at the Men’s EHF EURO 2022 through a connection established during the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt.

Omar Elwardany was Sweden’s team guide in Cairo, during the IHF Men’s World Championship in January 2021, helping Sweden with everything they needed during the competition. 

A strong bond between Omar and the team was created during the three weeks Sweden spent in Egypt, when they went to the final and secured the silver medal, their first in the competition in 20 years.

“A team guide is one of the most important persons in the delegation, who helps you with everything, knowing the local culture and the language. It can mean everything, from transport, information, or anything you need during the tournament,” added Vandor.

After the final, Sweden left another parting gift for Omar, the shirt worn by line player Max Darj during the competition, one that the team guide has always sported with pride.

One year later, Omar’s attraction for handball and the passion for Sweden helped forge the bond, with the former team guide enlisting as a volunteer in Budapest for the EHF EURO 2022.

In his spare days, Elwardany made the two-hour trip to Bratislava to cheer for Sweden during the main round games against Germany and Norway, which both finished with wins for the Scandinavian team.

Back in Budapest, Omar also cheered for Sweden during the final weekend of the EHF EURO 2022, where the Scandinavian side wrote history by winning against France in the semi-final, 34:33, and against then reigning champions Spain in the final, 27:26, with a last-gasp converted penalty by right wing Niclas Ekberg to seal the title.

“Their support has been amazing and the sacrifice made by the fans also enhanced our motivation to win,” concluded Vandor.