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Sweden defeats Ukraine in European qualifier amid penalty controversy

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Key Points
  • Sweden defeated Ukraine 34-23 in a European Championship handball qualifier.
  • A penalty incident involving Bohdan Panchenko sparked controversy during the match.
  • SVT Sports expert Magnus Grahn criticized the penalty decision as too severe.

After Charité Mumbongo scored to put Sweden ahead 13-9, Bohdan Panchenko threw a plastic bottle on the floor in reaction to a penalty called against a Ukrainian player and received a push from the side, according to official sources. The penalty decision drew criticism from SVT Sports expert Magnus Grahn, who questioned its severity. According to SVT Sport, Magnus Grahn described the call as not being close to warranting a two-minute penalty.

Sweden maintained full control of the match but grew sloppy in the second half, allowing Ukraine to narrow the gap to 21-25 before pulling away again, official sources reported. The match concluded with Johanna Hagman scoring a free-position goal with one second left to seal the 34-23 win, as confirmed by official sources. The game was played in a partially empty hall in Sala, Slovakia, where the players' voices echoed due to the sparse attendance shortly after lunch, according to official reports.

It is not close to being a two-minute penalty.

Magnus Grahn, SVT Sports expert

The specific rule violation that led to the penalty against the Ukrainian player remains unclear, and it is unknown who pushed Charité Mumbongo from the side and what consequences followed. Reasons for the hall not being full have not been disclosed.

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Sweden defeats Ukraine in European qualifier amid penalty controversy | Reed News