Sweden have one of the best appearance streaks at the Olympic Games, as they are now trying to secure their fifth qualification in a row in the competition, as they are favourites in the Olympic Qualification Tournament #1, where they will face hosts Hungary, Cameroon and Japan.

The Scandinavian side had never qualified to the Olympic Games before Beijing 2008, where they finished eighth, but they made it to London 2012, where they were 11th, Rio 2016, as they finished seventh, and Tokyo 2020, where they secured their best-ever finish, the fourth place, winning their group, but losing against France in the semi-finals and Norway in the bronze medal match.

Over the last decade, Sweden have been one of the most consistent teams in the world, but failed to secure a medal at the IHF Women’s World Championship, finishing ninth at Denmark 2015, fourth at Germany 2017 and Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, seventh at Japan 2019 and fifth at Spain 2021.

At the EHF EURO, Sweden clinched a bronze medal in 2014, and ended up eighth in 2016, sixth in 2018, 11th in 2020 and fifth once again in 2022, underlining their big potential and their penchant for competing against the best teams in the world.

However, falling short at the last hurdles seems to be the case in these competitions, therefore with a very experienced core and players like Jamina Roberts, Nathalie Hagman and Johanna Bundsen leading the line, Sweden are more than prepared for another challenge for a medal, especially as coach Tomas Axnér has been leading the team since 2020.

This will be the second time Sweden play against Cameroon in the space of four months, after their 39:15 win at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, with Sweden boasting an immaculate record against African sides.

Against Hungary, Sweden have won four out of the five matches played in the last two decades, while the European side also has a 100% record against Japan, with a win, 27:14, in the IHF Women’s World Championship. 

Key players: Jamina Roberts (centre back), Johanna Bundsen (goalkeeper), Nathalie Hagman (right wing)

History at the Olympic Games: 2008: 8th, 2012: 11th, 2016: 7th, 2020: 4th 

Olympic Qualification Tournament #1 (in Debrecen, Hungary): Sweden, Hungary, Cameroon, Japan