Co-hosts Sweden booked their ticket to the Main Round of EHF EURO 2026 with a commanding performance tonight. Led by a stellar showing from Felix Claar, the Swedish squad defeated a gritty Georgian team 38-29 at the rocking Malmo Arena. This victory ensures their progression with one group game still left to play.
Georgia Fights Back Early Before Sweden Takes Control
The atmosphere inside Malmo Arena was electric before the first whistle. Fans expected a comfortable win for the home side. However, the visitors had other plans. Georgia came into this match desperate for a win to keep their tournament hopes alive. They played with intensity and aggression right from the start.
Sweden opened the scoring but could not shake off their opponents. The Georgian attack found gaps in the Swedish defense with surprising ease. It was a tense opening ten minutes that left the home crowd nervous.
Felix Claar was the shining light for Sweden in these difficult early moments. He took the team on his back offensively. Claar scored four of Sweden’s first five goals to keep the score tight at 5-4. His individual brilliance was the only thing separating the teams early on.
Georgia refused to back down. Their star player Giorgi Tskhovrebadze was in sensational form. He punished the Swedish defense from the back court repeatedly. Tskhovrebadze scored four quick goals of his own. His efforts helped Georgia turn the deficit around completely.
The underdogs took a shock 8-6 lead in the 13th minute. The Swedish defense struggled to contain the speed and power of the Georgian shooters. Georgian goalkeeper David Nikabadze also played a massive role during this stretch. He made several key saves against Albin Lagergren to frustrate the hosts.
It seemed like an upset might be brewing in Malmo. The Swedish bench looked concerned as their defensive formation failed to stop the leakage of goals.
Felix Claar Sparks Offensive Surge Before Halftime Break
The momentum shifted midway through the first half. Swedish goalkeeper Mikael Appelgren finally made his first significant stop of the game. This save was the wake-up call the team needed.
The crowd roared as Sweden raced down the court. They scored quickly to restore parity. Once again it was Felix Claar who found the back of the net. He was simply unplayable during the first period.
Sweden began to find their rhythm in transition. They stopped playing at Georgia’s pace and started dictating the tempo. Claar scored yet another goal to put Sweden back in front at 10-9. This goal broke the Georgian resistance.
Max Darj then provided a highlight-reel moment. He finished off a lightning-fast break to extend the lead. The score moved to 13-11. This was the first time Sweden held a two-goal advantage in the match.
Here is a breakdown of the key first-half stats:
- Felix Claar Goals: 6
- Georgia Lead: 8-6 (13th Minute)
- Halftime Score: 20-15
- Key Save: Appelgren (15th Minute)
Lukas Sandell joined the scoring party soon after. He capitalized on another save from Appelgren to push the lead to three goals. The Swedish defense finally started to look like a championship unit.
The final minute of the first half was a disaster for Georgia. They needed to go into the locker room close to the hosts. Instead, they collapsed under pressure.
Nikola Roganovic scored to make it a four-goal game. Then disaster struck for the visitors. Sebastian Karlsson anticipated a pass and stole the ball with seconds remaining. He raced away and scored right at the buzzer. The scoreboard read 20-15 at the break. That five-goal cushion felt massive.
Defensive Adjustments Secure Comfortable Win for Hosts
Sweden came out of the locker room with a clear plan. They wanted to end the contest early. The coaching staff made excellent adjustments to shut down Tskhovrebadze.
The defense stepped up their physical play. They forced Georgia into taking difficult shots from bad angles. Appelgren continued to improve in goal as the match went on.
The offensive depth of Sweden was too much for Georgia to handle. While Claar dominated the first half, other players stepped up in the second. The goals were shared among the wingers and line players.
Georgia tried to rally but ran out of steam. The physical toll of chasing the game against a world-class team became evident. Their shooting percentage dropped significantly in the second period.
Sweden maintained a comfortable lead throughout the final 30 minutes. They never let the margin drop below four goals. This allowed the coach to rotate the squad. Key players got some rest ahead of the Main Round.
The home fans enjoyed every minute of the closing stages. They stood and cheered as their team cruised to the finish line. The final score of 38-29 reflected Sweden’s superiority over the full hour.
“We knew Georgia would come out hard. They have some great shooters. But we trusted our system and our defense stepped up when it mattered most.”
— Swedish Team Representative (Post-Match Reaction)
The victory was comprehensive. Sweden proved they can handle pressure even when things do not start perfectly.
Main Round Qualification and What Comes Next
This victory has major implications for Group E. Sweden has now won two games out of two. They opened their campaign with a win over the Netherlands. Now they have dispatched Georgia.
Croatia also remained perfect earlier in the evening. They defeated the Dutch 35-29. This means both Sweden and Croatia have secured their spots in the Main Round.
The upcoming match between Sweden and Croatia will decide the group winner. However, the pressure of qualification is gone. Both teams can play freely.
For Georgia, the tournament is effectively over. They fought bravely but faced two very strong opponents. They will play for pride in their final group game.
Sweden’s path to the trophy looks clear. They have the home crowd support. They have an offense that can score 38 goals in a game. And they have a defense that can lock down when necessary.
The Main Round will bring tougher challenges. Teams like France and Denmark will pose bigger threats. But for tonight, Sweden can celebrate a job well done. They avoided the upset and kept their dream of winning gold on home soil alive.
Current Group E Standings:
| Team | Played | Won | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 2 | 2 | 4 | Qualified |
| Croatia | 2 | 2 | 4 | Qualified |
| Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated |
| Georgia | 2 | 0 | 0 | Eliminated |
Sweden has shown why they are one of the favorites. The blend of experienced stars and young talent is working perfectly. The fans in Malmo will be hoping this journey ends with a gold medal around their necks.
The team will now have a few days to recover. They will analyze the video of the Georgia match to fix the early defensive errors. But the mood in the camp will be very positive tonight.
The dream of EHF EURO 2026 glory is one step closer to reality.
The final whistle triggered a massive celebration in the stands. The connection between the players and the fans is strong. This home advantage could be the deciding factor in the later stages of the tournament.
We have seen many teams crumble under the pressure of being hosts. Sweden seems to thrive on it. They use the energy to fuel their fast breaks and defensive stands.
As the tournament moves forward, all eyes will be on Felix Claar. If he continues to play at this level, he will be a contender for the tournament MVP. His performance tonight was a masterclass in modern handball.
