09.04.2015, 12:54
Cederholm replaces Andersson for Swedish qualifiers

NEWS REPORT: Sweden will face Slovenia in the Men's EHF EURO 2016 qualifiers with three new players in their squad

Cederholm replaces Andersson for Swedish qualifiers

23-year-old Andreas Cederholm has huge shoes to fill as he will replace experienced Kim Andersson in Sweden’s squad for the upcoming Men's EHF EURO 2016 qualifiers against Slovenia.

With more than 200 international matches played, right back Andersson ended his career in the national team after the World Championship in Qatar in January.

"This is going to be great, and it will definitely increase my inspiration. This nomination is a confirmation that I must have done something well," says Andreas Cederholm, who is currently playing for IFK Kristianstad in the Swedish league.

Cederholm, who has played 13 internationals already, is one of three new players in the Swedish squad compared to the team who reached the eighth finals at the World Championship.

Jim Gottfridsson, who is back from a long injury break, replaces Patrik Fahlgren on the playmaker position, while Mikael Appelgren takes the place of injured Johan Sjöstrand in goal.

With four points each from their first two matches, Sweden and Slovenia are both on top of Qualification Group 3.

"Slovenia is a tough opponent, but I am happy with the squad we have nominated," told Staffan Olsson the Swedish Handball Federation's official website. Since 2008 he is in charge of the swedish team together with Ola Lindgren.

"At the World Championship we showed that our defense and our goalkeepers are on a high level and if we manage to make our attack work too we will be hard to beat.

"It is extremely important for us to qualify for the European Championship as this will be our last chance to get a ticket for the Olympics," Olsson added.

Sweden squad:

Goalkeepers: Mattias Andersson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt) Mikael Appelgren (MT Melsungen)
Left wing: Jonas Källman (MOL-Pick Szeged) Fredrik Petersen (Füchse Berlin)
Right wing: Niclas Ekberg (THW Kiel) Mattias Zachrisson (Füchse Berlin)
Left back: Markus Olsson (IFK Kristianstad) Viktor Östlund (Eskilstuna Guif)
Centre back: Lukas Karlsson (KIF Kolding Kobenhavn) Jim Gottfridsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Right back: Magnus Persson (VfL Gummersbach) Andreas Cederholm (IFK Kristianstad)
Line player: Andreas Nilsson ((MKB-MVM Veszprém) Jesper Nielsen (Füchse Berlin) Niclas Barud (Aalborg Handball)
Defence: Tobias Karlsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)

Sweden will face Slovenia at home in Växjö on 29 April and away in Celje on 3 May.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / me / cor