The Swedish handball team defeated Croatia 33–25 in the EM group final at Malmö Arena, securing the group win and two points for the intermediate round. Goalkeeper Andreas Palicka was praised for his impressive performance in the second half despite a tough injury-plagued autumn. The victory positions Sweden favorably for upcoming matches against Slovenia, Iceland, Hungary, and Switzerland.
In Malmö Arena, Sweden faced Croatia in a decisive group final at the handball EM, where Sweden secured a convincing victory of 33–25 (17–13). The match drew 10,247 spectators, and the Swedish team demonstrated strong defense and efficiency. Mikael Appelgren started in goal with three early saves, giving Sweden an 8–5 lead after just over 15 minutes. At halftime, Sweden led 17–13 following two consecutive goals by Albin Lagergren.
In the second half, Appelgren was replaced by Andreas Palicka, who delivered a stellar performance. He saved nearly 70 percent of shots during his first quarter in goal and ended with 45 percent on nine saves total. Palicka also scored two goals into an empty net, including one that extended the lead to 19–13. "When he makes those incredible saves and then celebrates with the fans, we get momentum and lift the arena," said Lukas Sandell, who scored three goals himself.
Palicka, who recovered from a serious elbow injury in September, let his emotions show after the match. "I am incredibly happy and grateful that I am standing here today and that I get to be part of it," he said, praising the crowd: "Fantastic. It is so damn fun to see everyone – from the next generation to the older ones." He also highlighted his partnership with Appelgren: "Äpplet has also done really well... There are few people I am as happy to see back as him."
The win marked Sweden's third straight in the group, positioning them ideally against weaker opponents in the intermediate round. Despite a sluggish start from the crowd, the arena came alive during Palicka's performance. Felix Montebovi and Nikola Roganovic contributed late goals, underscoring the team's depth.
