But it didn’t look like Sweden hadn’t played a game since May 2021, when they opened with a 6-0 lead straight away in the European Championship qualifier against Switzerland. Sweden won the first set by far with 25–15.
Switzerland played themselves up, but they couldn’t shake Sweden, who won the second set 25–20.
For the third set, Switzerland came out much better and started strongly. Sweden had a better second half of the set, but Switzerland won 25–21.
Switzerland won two straight sets and it went to a fifth decider.
It was a real shocker where Switzerland won 15-11.
– It is very heavy right now. Especially after the first two sets we did. Then we let Switzerland enter the match, then they are a good team, says Jacob Link.
They had not played a match in three years when the association chose to prioritize the women’s national team and the beach volleyball duo Hellvig/Åhman.
– We simply had to manage financial resources, says Simon Dahl, general secretary of the Swedish Volleyball Association, to The radio sport.
The next match is away to Spain on August 28 and will be broadcast on SVT Play.