Teller Report

Swedish criticism after new victory: "The hand should be raised earlier"

12/3/2023, 7:25:18 PM

Highlights: Sweden defeated Senegal 26-18 in their Euro 2016 qualifier. Head coach Tomas Axnér believes that the referees should have stepped in earlier to get the game going. "I think the referees allow Senegal to play for a very long time. I think the hand should come up earlier," he said to SVT Sport. "It's a team that is extremely good at slowing down the pace. We want to play a fast handball," added Nathalie Hagman to CNN.

Sweden defeated Senegal 26-18. Afterwards there was frustration in the Swedish camp. "I think the referees allow Senegal to play for a very long time," coach Tomas Axnér told SVT Sport.


Senegal pressured Sweden and did what they could to slow down the tempo of the game. It was only in the final stages of the game that Sweden could go away and win with a few balls.

"It's frustrating. They play twice as long attacks and we had to stand in defence for a long time. They got some balls in the last second and it's frustrating, but Senegal makes a good match, says Nathalie Hagman to SVT Sport.

"The hand will come sooner"

Head coach Tomas Axnér believes that the referees should have stepped in earlier to get the game going.

"It's a team that is extremely good at slowing down the pace. We want to play a fast handball. I think the referees allow Senegal to play for a very long time. I think the hand should come up earlier.