As expected, Kosovo suffered a defeat by Sweden in the first match of the second, respectively final, phase of the qualifications for the Women’s Handball World Championship to be held at the end of this year. Kosovo lost to Sweden on Thursday with a very deep score of 51:16. The Sweden – Kosovo match took place in Karlskrona. In addition to the strength of the team, Sweden had great support from the stands on Thursday. Almost no seat was empty in the gym where the first match took place.
The first half ended 28:8 in favor of the Swedes. They were convincing in the second half as well.
For Kosovo, the match ended with the most goals scored by Merlinda Qorraj with five goals from 11 attempts. Mirela Gjikokaj had four goals from ten attempts. Mirjeta Bytyçi scored three goals, while Albina Rugova Tahirukaj scored two goals. Yllka Shatri and Fitore Aliu-Berisha scored one goal each.
For Sweden, the most notable with seven goals each were Clara Lerby and Nathalie Hagman.
Kosovo played against Sweden with three players missing. Due to injury, Kosovo was without captain Leonora Demaj and sisters Marigona and Arlinda Hajdari.
The return match is on Sunday at 17:15 at the Youth Palace in Pristina.
In fact, Kosovo passed the first qualifying phase with complete success. In the fall in Belgium, they won against Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina, two solid European representatives.
“However, from the two matches with Sweden, our national team will learn a lot. It will be valuable experience for future qualifications,” writes the Kosovo Handball Federation.
Kosovo had hoped to qualify, but they were unlucky in the draw. Sweden was the strongest possible opponent for all the second pot teams.
The World Cup is being held in Germany and the Netherlands from November 26 to December 14. These two teams have qualified directly. France, as the defending champions, has also qualified directly, as have Denmark, Hungary and Norway. These three teams qualified as semi-finalists of Euro 2024. Sweden is on a par with Denmark, Hungary and Norway.
In the last two Olympics, Sweden won bronze medals, which is a great success. In the last World Cup in 2023, the Swedes reached the semifinals. In last year’s European Championship, they finished in fifth place.