Sweden men's national handball team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sweden
Information
Association	Swedish Handball Association (Svenska Handbollförbundet)
Coach	Michael Apelgren
Assistant coach	Patrik Fahlgren
Most caps	Magnus Wislander (386)
Most goals	Magnus Wislander (1191)
Colours
1st 2nd 3rd
Results
Summer Olympics
Appearances	10 (First in 1972)
Best result	2nd (1992, 1996, 2000, 2012)
World Championship
Appearances	27 (First in 1938)
Best result	1st (1954, 1958, 1990, 1999)
European Championship
Appearances	15 (First in 1994)
Best result	1st (1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2022)
Last updated on Unknown.

The Sweden men's national handball team represents Sweden in men's handball games. The Swedish Handball Association manages the team. They are known for being one of the best teams in handball history.

The team had great success under coaches Curt Wadmark (1948–1967) and Bengt Johansson (1988–2004). Bengt Johansson's team was called Bengan Boys in Sweden. It included famous players like Tomas Svensson, Staffan Olsson, Magnus Wislander, and Stefan Lövgren. From 1990 to 2002, the team won 13 medals in major championships. They reached the medal round in every championship during this time. They also made it to a record 8 championship finals in a row from 1996 to 2002.

Sweden is the most successful country in the European Men's Handball Championship with 5 titles. They have also won 12 medals, including 4 gold medals, at the World Men's Handball Championship. Even with all their success, Sweden has not yet won an Olympic gold medal. They have played in 4 Olympic finals. The team has also won the World Cup 3 times and the Supercup 2 times. In 2000, they won the Intercontinental Cup.

Team Achievements and Medals

The Swedish men's handball team has won many medals in big tournaments. They are one of the most successful teams in the sport.

Olympic Games Medals

Sweden has won four silver medals at the Olympic Games. They earned these medals in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2012.

World Championship Medals

The team has won four gold medals at the World Championship. These wins were in 1954, 1958, 1990, and 1999. They also have four silver and four bronze medals from this competition.

European Championship Medals

Sweden is the most successful team in the European Men's Handball Championship. They have won five gold medals. These victories happened in 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2022. They also have one silver and one bronze medal.

Team Performance in Major Tournaments

The Swedish team has a long history of playing in important handball tournaments.

Olympic Games History

Sweden has played in the Olympic Games many times. They first played in 1972. They have reached the final four times, winning silver medals each time. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, they finished 7th.

World Championship History

Sweden has competed in the World Championship 27 times. They won their first gold medal in 1954. They also hosted the tournament in 1954, 1967, 1993, 2011, and 2023. In 2023, they finished in fourth place.

European Championship History

Sweden has played in the European Championship since it started in 1994. They won the first-ever European Championship in 1994. They also hosted the tournament in 2002 and 2020. In 2024, they won a bronze medal.

Team Players and Coaches

Here you can find information about the current players and past coaches of the Swedish handball team.

Current Team Players

The team has many talented players. Here are some of the players who were part of the squad for the 2025 World Men's Handball Championship.

• Jonathan Carlsbogård (Left Back)
• Felix Möller (Pivot)
• Niclas Ekberg (Right Wing)
• Andreas Palicka (Goalkeeper)
• Sebastian Karlsson (Right Wing)
• Hampus Wanne (Left Wing)
• Tobias Thulin (Goalkeeper)
• Lucas Pellas (Left Wing)
• Albin Lagergren (Right Back)
• Jim Gottfridsson (Centre Back)
• Jonathan Edvardsson (Centre Back)
• Edwin Aspenbäck (Right Back)
• Lukas Sandell (Right Back)
• Andreas Nilsson (Pivot)
• Eric Johansson (Left Back)
• Olle Forsell Schefvert (Left Back)
• Fabian Norsten (Goalkeeper)

The head coach for the team is Michael Apelgren.

Famous Players

Many great players have played for the Swedish national team over the years. Some of them include:

• Per Carlén
• Björn "Lurch" Andersson
• Stefan Lövgren
• Mats Olsson
• Staffan Olsson
• Magnus Wislander
• Ljubomir Vranjes
• Pierre Thorsson
• Magnus Andersson
• Ola Lindgren
• Erik Hajas
• Johan Petersson
• Peter Gentzel
• Tomas Svensson
• Kim Andersson
• Martin Frändesjö
• Jim Gottfridsson
• Niclas Ekberg

Team Coaches Through the Years

Many coaches have led the Swedish men's handball team. Here are some of them:

• Herbert Johansson (1938–1948)
• Curt Wadmark (1948–1967)
• Roland Mattsson (1967–1974)
• Bertil Andersén (1974–1979)
• Ingemar Eriksson (1979–1980)
• Caj-Åke Andersson (1980–1982)
• Roger "Ragge" Carlsson (1982–1988)
• Bengt "Bengan" Johansson (1988–2004)
• Ingemar Linnéll (2004–2008)
• Ola Lindgren & Staffan Olsson (2008–2016)
• Kristján Andrésson (2016–2020)
• Glenn Solberg (2020–2024)
• Michael Apelgren (2024–present)

Team Records and Achievements

The Swedish team holds several impressive records in handball.

World Records

• They had the longest winning streak in international championships. This was 25 matches from the Euro 1998 to the 2000 Olympic Games.
• They had the longest streak of reaching the medal round in major championships. This was 14 tournaments from 1990 to 2002.
• They reached 8 consecutive finals in international championships from 1996 to 2002.
• They share the record for most World Championship finals (8) with France.

European Records

• They won 3 gold medals in a row at the European Championship (1998, 2000, 2002).

Other Notable Achievements

• Sweden was the first European nation to win a major championship title three times in a row. This happened at the European Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2002.
• They won the World Cup 3 times (1992, 1996, 2004).
• They won the Supercup 2 times (1993, 2005).
• They won the Intercontinental Cup in 2000.
• Sweden was the first IHF World Champion in indoor handball in 1954.
• They were the first EHF European Champion in 1994.
• They won the first international indoor handball game against Denmark in 1935. The score was 18–12.

Kit Suppliers

The team's uniforms have been supplied by different companies. From 2004 to 2015, Adidas supplied their kits. From 2016 to 2019, Kempa was the supplier. Currently, Craft provides their kits.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de balonmano de Suecia para niños

• Sweden women's national handball team