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Buy tickets for Sweden vs Croatia - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 Buy tickets for Sweden vs Croatia - Handball – European Handball Championship 2026

Handball – European Handball Championship 2026 (GROUP E)
21. January 2026. 19:30h
Sweden vs Croatia
Malmö Arena, Malmo, SE
2026
21
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)

Tickets for Sweden – Croatia, Group E Round 3 at the European Handball Championship 2026 in Malmö Arena

Looking for tickets to Sweden vs Croatia at Malmö Arena? Here you can check ticket sales and pick seats for the Group E Round 3 game at the European Handball Championship 2026. Use the venue and arrival notes for Hyllie, feel the tournament atmosphere in Malmö, and secure your place in the stands early

A meeting that shapes the group and the atmosphere in Malmö

Sweden and Croatia play the match of the 3rd round of the 2026 European Handball Championship in Malmö, at Malmo Arena at Hyllie Stationsväg 2, Malmo, SE, and the fans’ interest already highlights how sought-after tickets for this event are. In Group E, this is a duel that comes at the end of the first round and often carries more than two points, because it can decide who carries points into the next phase and who enters the continuation of the competition with an advantage. In that context, buying tickets is not just a matter of a seat in the stands, but also an opportunity to experience a high-tension match, where every save and every attack carries weight. The crowd in Malmö has a reputation for raising the tempo for the home side, but at the same time Croatian fans traditionally travel in large numbers, so a special, loud atmosphere is expected, which often starts even before entering the arena. Tickets for this match disappear quickly, so buy your tickets in time and click the button labeled

, because matches like this are not left until the last moment when sections start selling out.

Group E schedule and how the standings are built

Group E is played in Malmö from 17 to 21 January, and Sweden and Croatia enter that final slot after the first two rounds in which everyone seeks the calmest possible path to advancing. According to the official schedule on the competition platform, Sweden plays in Malmö Arena against the Netherlands on 17 January and against Georgia on 19 January, and then comes the match against Croatia on 21 January, with the start time for that duel listed as 20:30 Central European Time. In the preview section an earlier time may also appear, so it is practical for fans to check the time stated on their ticket purchase confirmation and in the information accompanying the event itself, especially if they plan to arrive by train or bus. In handball groups, scoring is standard: a win brings two points, a draw one, and a loss zero, so the standings can turn dramatically with just one poor start to a match or a series of technical errors. That is precisely why ticket sales for matches like this regularly accelerate as the last round approaches, because fans want to be present exactly at the moment when accounts are settled and it is decided who continues the competition with the best starting position.

Sweden: home pressure and a recognizable handball identity

Sweden enters the 2026 European Handball Championship as a co-host and one of the most decorated national teams in the history of this competition, and the home court in Malmö brings both an advantage and additional responsibility. Previews emphasize their tradition and continuity of medals, but also the fact that expectations in Sweden are always set high when playing in front of their own crowd. The squad and identity are often described through disciplined defense, a clearly structured attack, and a transition that punishes the opponent as soon as space opens for quick finishing. A special story is the coaching staff and the adaptation process under head coach Michael Apelgren, for whom this is a major home challenge and his first big European showcase in the role of the main man. In such an environment, tickets gain additional value, because you are watching a national team that has history, but also a present that is measured by results from the very first whistle in the group.

Swedish squad: experience, debutants and changes due to injuries

In the final phase of preparations, Sweden had to react to health issues, so left wing Jerry Tollbring dropped out due to a calf problem, and 20-year-old Felix Montebovi entered the squad, which is an example of how squad depth is tested precisely ahead of such tournaments. Their list highlights goalkeepers Andreas Palicka and Mikael Appelgren, and around them an defensive wall and the rhythm of transition are built, because without a stable goalkeeping line it is difficult to maintain a high tempo for three matches in five days. On the wings there are players like Hampus Wanne and Daniel Pettersson, while in the backcourt the game leaders are Jim Gottfridsson, Felix Claar, Albin Lagergren and Lukas Sandell, which is a combination of creativity, shooting and experience from the club elite. It is also important that some younger players are being introduced right now, so the home crowd in Malmö gets a chance to see a new generation in matches that immediately have competitive weight. Because of all that, tickets for the match against Croatia also come with an extra story, because they connect a proven core and new roles that arise when injuries change plans, and the stands very often feel such moments before they show up on the scoreboard.

Croatia: a new era on the bench, familiar passion on the court

Croatia comes to Sweden with clear ambitions and new energy after a change on the bench, because Dagur Sigurdsson took over the national team in February 2024 and immediately brought a measurable dose of stability and a step forward in results. Official profiles also highlight that Ivan Martinović has taken over the captain’s role, which is a sign that responsibility is being passed to a new generation, while the squad still relies on the experience of players who know what it means to play big matches. Croatia traditionally builds its game through strong contact, solid defense and an attack that seeks balance between long-range shooting and cooperation with line players, and such a style often comes to the fore best in arenas that create pressure on the opponent. The match against Sweden comes as the final test of the group, and it is very realistic that points will be decided by details such as seven-meter efficiency, discipline in getting back on defense, and avoiding runs of exclusions. For Croatian fans, buying tickets also carries an emotional dimension, because matches against the host under tournament conditions often become small stories to remember, regardless of whether they are played in front of 5,000 or 15,000 people.

Croatia’s final list and health doubts ahead of the tournament

The Croatian head coach announced the final list on 9 January, after preparations and a friendly against Germany in which the result was 29:32, and the team then planned further checks and training before arriving in Malmö. The list includes three goalkeepers Dominik Kuzmanović, Matej Mandić and Dino Slavić, wings David Mandić, Marin Jelinić, Zvonimir Srna, Mario Šoštarić and Filip Glavaš, and a number of backcourt and line players among whom stand out Luka Cindrić, Marko Mamić, Ivan Martinović, Mateo Maraš, Luka Lovre Klarica, Leon Šušnja, Veron Načinović and Josip Šimić, along with Ivan Pavlović and Diano Neris Ćeška. The same previews emphasize that Marin Šipić will not play, and doubts are also mentioned about the full readiness of Srna, Tin Lučin and Klarica, which is a typical situation before a tournament when until the last moment the balance is weighed between risk and the need for rotation depth. Such information gives fans an additional reason to follow developments, because in handball a change of one player in one position can spill over into the entire defensive or attacking system. If you are planning the trip and the experience in Malmö, tickets become a key item of organization, because it is easier to adjust arrival and accommodation when a seat in the stands is already secured.

Head-to-head meetings and the layer of history that follows this match

Sweden and Croatia have a rich history of clashes at major competitions, and it is interesting that in the European context they have met in phases similar to today’s situation, where points in the group create pressure already from the middle of the first round. In the competition archives, their duel at the 2018 European Championship is recorded, when Sweden won 35:31, a match that showed how Scandinavian discipline can be an unpleasant opponent if Croatia enters a run of misses and technical mistakes. Even earlier, at the 2014 European Championship, Croatia in one match defeated Sweden 25:24, which is an example of how nuances are decided in the closing stages and how a match can turn on one goal, one save or one timely foul. Such results are not just numbers, but a reminder that these national teams know each other well and are hard to surprise, so tactical preparation becomes just as important as individual inspiration. That is precisely why tickets for such duels carry the reputation of an event worth watching live, because in the arena you feel every change of tempo and every mini run of goals that on television otherwise looks like an ordinary broadcast. Fans who want to be part of such an evening in Malmö Arena often react earlier and secure tickets as soon as it feels that the third group round is potentially decisive.

Tactics on the court: where the match can be decided

This match offers several very clear tactical points that can develop throughout all 60 minutes, and the first is the duel between defense and attack organization, because both national teams like to control possession and avoid unreasonable shots. Sweden traditionally builds a solid block and forces the opponent into longer attacks, after which it tries to break out into quick transition, while Croatia often seeks a balance between long-range shooting and play on the line, where line players open space for the backcourt. Rotation will also be key, because the third round comes after a dense schedule, so the minutes of the leaders can decide whether there is someone in the finish to keep concentration on seven-meters, getting back on defense and reading crossings. The duel of playmakers, in which Sweden is expected to look for solutions through Gottfridsson and Claar, and Croatia through Cindrić and Martinović, can become a chess match with fast exchanges, where one well-read assist can break the entire defensive concept. In such a match, tickets are not necessarily the topic of every moment, but the live experience is exactly what separates a great handball night from an ordinary sports news item, because from the stands you can clearly hear when a team runs out of breath and when the crowd pushes the last defense in a run.

Malmö Arena: capacity, experience and why an extra ticket is sought here

Malmö Arena is one of the more modern and larger arenas in the region, and in the context of the competition it stands out with a capacity of 15,000 spectators and a location in the Hyllie district, which is designed as a green, sustainable part of the city with a strong emphasis on connectivity by public transport. Competition materials state that the arena opened in November 2008 and that it is located in the center of the Öresund region, emphasizing proximity to Hyllie Stationstorg and the fact that it is about 80 meters from the railway station. From the same information follows a practical value for fans: Malmö city center is only a few minutes away, and the link to Copenhagen Airport is fast, which makes it easier for visiting fans to arrive and increases demand for tickets. Official arena data mention that for sporting events the usual capacity is around 12,600, while for concerts it can be adjusted up to 15,500, which speaks to the flexibility of the venue and why the atmosphere can differ greatly depending on the stand configuration. Secure your tickets now and click the button labeled

, because in such a venue the difference between watching on a screen and watching from the stands is greatest, especially when a high-stakes match is played against the host.

Arrival and movement around the arena: train, bus and time planning

For fans traveling to Malmö, one of the biggest advantages is public transport, because the arena’s official pages emphasize that Malmö Hyllie Station is a hub of the Öresund region and that trains run frequently, with convenient connections to the city center and to Copenhagen. The arena is located by Hyllie Stationstorg, and bus lines that run to that area are also listed, which is useful for everyone coming from other parts of Malmö or from the surroundings. Such infrastructure also affects fan dynamics, because crowds often form immediately before entry, so it is reasonable to arrive earlier to avoid waiting at checks and to find your section and seat without stress. On evenings when tickets are sold out or when interest is exceptionally high, fans often arrive an hour before the start, because then you have time to catch the atmosphere, buy a drink or snacks and experience the teams’ warm-up. Buy tickets via the button labeled and plan your arrival so you have a time buffer, especially if you are traveling by train and have transfers or are coming from the direction of the airport.

The city and the tournament: Malmö as host, the fan wave and the broader context

Malmö is in a special rhythm in January because the city hosts Group E and part of the next phase, and city information highlights that six group matches are played in Malmö from 17 to 21 January, after which the continuation of the competition follows with more days in the same arena. That continuity brings fans from several countries, so a recognizable sporting mood is created in the city that often spills from the arena into the streets, restaurants and public transport, especially in the Hyllie zone that is directly connected to the arena. The city preview also emphasizes the expectation of strong fan engagement and activities in the city, which is an additional reason for tickets to be sought after even among neutral handball lovers who want to experience multiple matches in a short time. In such an ambiance, the Sweden vs Croatia match gains additional weight, because it is played not only for points but also in front of a crowd that already has the tournament rhythm in its legs, knows how the arena breathes and knows how pressure transfers from the stands to the court. Add to that the fact that this is the last round of the group and that already then people often think about carrying points into the next phase, and it becomes clearer why ticket sales are talked about as a central theme for fans who want to be part of the story.

What to watch in the match and how tickets change the experience

The Sweden vs Croatia match in Malmö Arena carries all the elements of a classic tournament clash: the host under pressure and support, a visitor that knows how to play tough finishes, and a tactical battle in which small things decide. It will be especially interesting to see how Croatia sets up in defense against Sweden’s game organization and whether it can control the transition, because Sweden often punishes every miss or technical mistake with a quick goal. On the other hand, Sweden will look for an answer to Croatian strength in duels and to play that often goes toward the line, so it will be seen how ready they are for contact and how quickly they can close the center. The health status of several important players and rotation depth can become decisive in the last ten minutes, when energy is spent and decisions are made in a split second, so it is realistic to expect the match to be decided on a run of saves or on two consecutive successful attacks. If you want to feel that turning point live, when the whole arena rises for one save or when the visiting sector explodes after a goal, then the ticket is what opens the door to the full experience. Tickets for this match are in demand, so secure your tickets and click the button labeled , because Malmö Arena on evenings like these offers an atmosphere that is hard to convey even with the best television camera work.

Sources:
- eurohandball.com, article on final team lists and injuries in Group E
- history.eurohandball.com, official schedule and match details Sweden vs Croatia at Malmö Arena
- handbollslandslaget.se, news about the change in the Swedish squad and the list of players for the championship
- hrs.hr, final list of Croatian players and information on preparations and the group schedule
- ehfeuro.eurohandball.com, profile and competition data for the national teams and the host city Malmö
- malmo.se, city preview of the competition and the match schedule in Malmö
- malmoarena.com, official information on arrival and technical data on capacity and venue facilities

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3 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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