Watford’s Sebastien Edgar was on target for Team GB but was unable to prevent Sweden taking the points as they claimed a 41-19 win in the Copper Box this afternoon.

Team GB were looking to bounce back from a heavy opening defeat in their Olympic campaign when France were the victors 44-15 on Sunday.

Edgar plays his club handball in France for Nimes but provides the local interest in a squad where only play-maker Ciaran Williams is a member of an English club.

Britain made a lively start and looked comfortable in possession as they tried to work an opening in the Swedish defence.

However, with no gap emerging, a misplaced pass gifted Sweden the ball and they made no mistake going forward, scoring through Kim Ekdahl du Rietz.

Goals were exchanged as Mark Hawkins and Christopher Mohr, both playing on the British left, netted to bring the scores to 2-2 but, as impressive as the Swedes were at the back, they were equally ruthless going forward.

Such was their dominance at this stage, they fired in six unanswered goals, with Niclas Ekberg personally bagging four of them.

Sebastien Prieto had hit the post for Britain but it was he who ended the Swedish scoring run to bring the score to 8-3.

However, whenever Team GB did net, they were unable to build any momentum as the Swedes quickly went again and found the target with alarming regularity.

The British task was being made even more difficult as they were faced with a goalkeeper in inspired form.

Johan Sjostrand showed incredible agility to get his body in the way of almost everything that was thrown at him, including a spectacular effort from John Pearce where he caught the ball in mid-air before immediately firing at goal.

The goals were being shared around the Swedish side but Ekberg was certainly leading the charge as his eight first-half efforts saw Britain head into the interval trailing 24-10.

Prieto and Mohr were the top British scorers on three apiece but they faced an uphill battle in the second period.

Ekberg continued to add to his tally but with only Hawkins able to net for Britain, the deficit increased to 29-11.

Edgar, on for the second half, then took centre stage as he got himself on the scoreboard.

The right winger was quickest to react to a rebounded Swedish shot and charged forward before riding the pressure of a recovering defender to pull one back for Britain.

Sweden reacted with four goals of their own sandwiching Steven Larsson’s third goal for Britain but with Jesper Parker making a collection of fine saves between the sticks, the hosts were suddenly on the charge.

Gawain Vincent bagged a quick-fire hat trick and with Martin Hare also on target, Team GB were able to surpass their tally from the last outing, bringing the score to 35-17.

Once again though, the Swedes were immediately able to respond and, three goals later, their lead increased to 38-17, with Ekberg now up to 12 for the game.

Both sides were on target again late on but there was no major change in the scoreline, as Britain suffered their second successive loss.