14.06.2015, 08:51
Sweden ease towards Women's World Championship

REVIEW: A 27:21 win against Croatia grants Sweden the final European berth at the Women's World Championship 2015 in Denmark

Sweden ease towards Women's World Championship

With a 27:21 win at home against Croatia, Sweden on Sunday have become the last European team to qualify for the Women's World Championship in Denmark in December.

After the Swedish 24:23 win in the first leg, a close encounter was expected in Stockholm, but the match at the Hovet turned out differently.

After Sonja Basic had given Croatia the 1:0 lead in the first minute, the visitors did not score a goal for the next 15 minutes.

Sweden made use of this long Croatian goal drought to score nine straight goals and take a 9:1 lead.

Even though Croatia then scored five goals in a row and reduced to 9:6, the hosts were not willing to give away their lead and at half-time they had increased the gap to five goals again (14:9).

In the first part of the second half, the Swedes continued to literally steamroll their opponents, and the Swedish lead was at 11 goals when it was at its highest.

Johanna Ahlm scored seven goals from seven attempts for Sweden, while Croatia's Andrea Penezic needed 15 attempts for her seven goals.

Towards the end Croatia got a little closer, but never close enough to threaten the Swedish win.

Apart from Sweden, Hungary, Netherlands, Russia, Poland, France, Spain, Montenegro and Romania have all qualified for the final tournament.

Together with hosts Denmark and world champions Norway, they will form the European representation at the World Championship 2015 in December.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / ts