Six years ago, at the 2017 IHF Women’s World Championship, Sweden were writing history, sealing their maiden semi-finals berth, with a 26:23 win against Denmark. Back then, a strong core of the squad was formed, with goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen, centre back Jamina Roberts and right wing Nathalie Hagman starring on the court and helping their side.

Sweden have undergone some major changes from that point, but the trio has been ever since in the squad and has led the Scandinavian side to their best-ever start in any edition of the IHF Women’s World Championship at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, with a seven-game winning streak, their longest in the history of their appearances, lifting Tomas Axner’s side to another semi-finals berth.

So far, Sweden have been nothing but excellent, as they have the best defence in the competition, conceding only 19.5 goals per match, while their goalkeepers saved 41.2% of the shots they faced, only 0.1% less than leaders Norway.

Therefore, Sweden are now once again between the top four sides in the world, and have ensured a top-10 finish at the IHF Women’s World Championship for the sixth edition in a row, after finishing fifth two years ago, at Spain 2021.

Back then, Roberts, Hagman and Bundsen were only entering their prime, but they still delivered an excellent competition, finishing on the fourth place, after they conceded a loss in the semi-final against France, 23:25. Now, they are closer to the end of their international career, but still have a huge hunger.

“We are happy to be here, in the semi-finals, once again, which is a huge achievement for Sweden and for us, as a team. We are looking forward for the match against France, a very difficult team to beat, but we will give everything to be in the final,” says Hagman.

Coincidentally, the only time Sweden reached the final of a major international competition was the EHF EURO 2010, when they lost the match against Norway, 20:25, settling for the silver medal. Both Roberts and Hagman were there, featuring in the match played in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning.

Once again, the circle can close in Herning, in the same arena, with the two stars being on the court, provided they beat France in the semi-final, while Norway win against Denmark, with a final between Sweden and their Scandinavian counterparts on the cards in that scenario.

So far, Roberts and Hagman were Sweden’s best scorers, with the left back netting 31 goals for the Scandinavian side, while Hagman, the top goal scorer at Spain 2021, with 71 goals, being on the eighth place, with 38 goals. On the other hand, Roberts will become the player with the second largest number of appearances for Sweden, 226, when she takes on the court against France, only Åsa Eriksson featuring more times for the team, with 254 caps.

In total, the right wing has scored 212 goals in five appearances at the IHF Women’s World Championship, being one of the most consistent scorers in the past decade, earning an appearance in the All-Star team at Germany 2017 and the top goal scorer title at Spain 2021. All of these individual awards might mean nothing provided Sweden finally win their maiden medal at the IHF Women’s World Championship.

“We had a great competition so far, of course, we played at home for the first time in Sweden, but right now we are here, in Herning, and we want to deliver the best possible performances to win a medal,” adds Hagman, after Sweden’s 27:20 win against Germany.

That win would not have been possible with a 7:0 start, which saw goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen, now at her fourth appearance at the IHF Women’s World Championship, save the first six shots she faced and lifting Sweden to a 16:6 lead at the break.

“There were some Swedish fans here and we hope we will have more on Friday and Sunday, because this was excellent. We are on the cusp of a big performance, so we will need the support,” says Bundsen.

Indeed, at the zenith of this excellent generation, which also included Isabelle Gullden until she retired from international handball in 2020, Sweden might finally win that elusive medal at the IHF Women’s World Championship, as they have now built the longest winning streak in their history, seven matches in a row.

The game against France will surely be crucial for Sweden, but with such experience in their squad and in this good of a moment, everything might finally click for the Scandinavian side, which has won only two of their seven mutual matches against France.