23.05.2014, 10:47
Torstensson in doubt for EHF EURO qualifiers

PREVIEW: Sweden hope for their left back to get fit in time for matches against Slovenia and Switzerland in June

Torstensson in doubt for EHF EURO qualifiers

Sweden’s women’s national team crosses its fingers that left back Linnea Torstensson will recover in time from a broken finger to join the squad for the two remaining EHF EURO qualifiers in Group 5.

Sweden play away against Slovenia on 11 June and at home against Switzerland four days later, and national coach Thomas Sivertsson makes no secret of the fact that the tall and strong-shooting 31-year-old back court player will be crucial.

"Linnea is an extremely important player for us, and we expect her to be fit in time. As it has emerged, the finger was not completely broken and this obviously reduces the recovery process.

"According to our medical staff, things are proceeding according to plan, and if this development continues, we expect her to be fit for the qualification matches," Thomas Sivertsson told ehf-euro.com.

Key match in Slovenia

He is aware that the match in Slovenia will be the key encounter for his team.

If Sweden lose that match, Sweden, Serbia and Slovenia may all finish the qualification with eight points, and only the cross matches among these three nations will decide which two teams qualify for the final tournament in Hungary and Croatia in December.

"Slovenia played a very fine game at home against Serbia (31:26 for Slovenia) and in general they have a very strong team, even though they have not qualified for major championships often.

"There is no doubt that we will have to produce a strong performance in Slovenia in order to win, but I believe we can do that, and I see our chances to qualify for the final round as very good.

"We played two fine games against Serbia, and since then we have got Jenny Alm back from injury, and she has played very well for Sävehof after her comeback,” Thomas Sivertsson said.

Test matches against Norway

Ahead of the qualification matches, Sweden are playing two friendlies away against Norway on  5 and  7 June.

"We are going to use those two matches to make our play click, especially our positional play.

"We do not have that many days together all in all, so two such matches against one of the strongest possible opponents will be of great value to us in order to be ready for Slovenia," Thomas Sivertsson explains.

The Swedish squad:

Goalkeepers: Filippa Idehn (IK Sävehof) Cecilie Grubbström (OGC Nice)

Left wing: Jessica Helleberg (HC Odense) Edijana Dafe (IK Sävehof)

Right wing: Hanna Fogelström (IK Sävehof) Natalie Hagman (Lugi HF)

Line players: Ulrika Ågren (Buxtehuder SV) Frida Tegstedt (IK Sävehof) Clara Monti Danielsson (Lugi HF)

Back court players: Linnea Torstensson (Viborg HK) Jamina Roberts (IK Sävehof) Maria Adler (HC Odense) Jenny Alm (IK Sävehof) Isabelle Gulldén (Viborg HK) Johanna Ahlm (Team Esbjerg) Ida Odén (IK Sävehof) Anna-Maria Johansson (Skövde HF)

TEXT: Peter Bruun / ts