Barely two weeks ago, Sweden’s men’s national volleyball team played its first match in three years. It was a heavy loss against Switzerland.
Tonight it was time for the next match in the European Championship qualifiers, and then what looked like the toughest match in the group in advance awaited: Spain, ranked 17th in Europe – to be compared with Sweden’s 35th place.
Won in three straight sets
But that there is a difference of 18 places in the ranking, in favor of Spain, could not be believed during the match.
Sweden put in an extremely impressive effort and won in three straight sets: 25–21, 25–20, 25–19.
– It’s sensational! They are playing so well that it feels like it is Sweden that is high up in the European rankings, and Spain far down, said SVT Sports expert Andréa Jacobsson, who did not foresee this before the match:
– I talked beforehand that it would have been impressive if Sweden took a set.
The hope for an EC place is alive
After Spain kicked the ball out, which meant that the Swedish victory remained, the entire Swedish team quickly ran out onto the pitch and cheered loudly.
– Everything we prepared was executed fantastically. The team performed at its highest level. This was big for Swedish volleyball. We show that we belong at a higher level, says federation captain Gido Vermeulen to the volleyball association.
With the victory, Sweden’s hope for a European Championship place lives on, with half the qualifying game still to play. The two remaining matches will be played in a year. The group winners and five of seven group runners-up make it to European Championship 2026.
– You have great chances, says Andréa Jacobsson.