Nathalie Hagman and Jamina Roberts announced they are retiring from the Swedish national team. Their last match for the national team will be the European Championship qualifier against Lithuania in Kosta on April 12. Nathalie Hagman has played 257 matches for the national team, making her one of Sweden's most capped players.
This retirement announcement comes as Sweden prepares for the European Championship in December, for which they are already qualified. The team's recent performance has been challenging, with Sweden finishing 15th in the last World Championship. Sweden missed the quarterfinals in that tournament, highlighting a period of struggle for the national side.
I don't feel finished with all parts of handball. But several parts indicate that I want to do something else. There isn't one reason. I just think that... I have lived abroad for very many years and am starting to long for home a little.
For Nathalie Hagman, this represents a complete departure from professional handball. She is retiring from handball entirely and will leave Hungarian club Györ after this season, ending her tenure with one of Europe's top clubs. In contrast, Jamina Roberts is not retiring from handball entirely yet.
She has a contract with Danish club Ikast until next summer, allowing her to continue her club career. Nathalie Hagman's personal plans include moving to Stockholm in the summer to follow her partner Daniela de Jong. She has one year left in her economics studies, which she plans to focus on after retiring.
Of course it's tempting to start a family in the near future.
Professionally, before retiring, Nathalie Hagman aims to win the Champions League for the first time, a goal she has pursued throughout her career. She is not considering playing for Skuru IK, ruling out a move to the Swedish club. National team coach Tomas Axnér has indicated that players need to commit to aiming for the 2028 Olympics to continue in the national team, setting a clear standard for future selections.
Several unknowns surround these retirements. What specific new club Nathalie Hagman will join after leaving Györ remains unclear, as she aims for a Champions League club to achieve her final professional ambition. Whether Jamina Roberts will continue playing handball after her contract with Ikast ends is also uncertain, with her future plans yet to be announced.
Of course it's difficult when you've been part of something for so long and that I've found very, very fun. We've had a fine period in recent years that we helped build up.
The exact reasons beyond homesickness and family plans that led Nathalie Hagman to retire entirely from handball have not been fully detailed, leaving some aspects of her decision private. The implications of these retirements signal a generational shift for the Swedish national team, as two of its most experienced players depart simultaneously, creating opportunities for younger talent. Potential further retirements may follow, influenced by coach Tomas Axnér's stance on Olympic commitment for the 2028 Games, which could reshape the team's roster in the coming years.
He has also been aware that that day hasn't been far away. We could just as well have retired five years ago. But he has wanted us to be part of this national team, and we have too.
Well, it's something we will miss. To suddenly be crammed seven, eight players into a small apartment in the Olympic village. It's something unique.
I really want to be part of the national team here during the spring and then I'll talk with Tomas again and see what he thinks and what I myself think. Even though I've been around a long time, this is now something new for me too. I'll feel if it's something I want to continue being part of.
I was quite prepared that it would turn out like this.
I have enjoyed it very much and it's a fantastic group with very good people.
It would have been very fun.
I feel finished.
I did that when I was young and it worked then. Now it doesn't feel very fun actually. No, if I play handball I want to do it 110 percent.
So if anyone wants to hire me then I'm very open to suggestions.
It would be very fun to finish that way.