Sweden Triumphs Over Czech Republic to Reach Volleyball EM Quarterfinals

The Swedish women's volleyball team secured a significant 3-0 victory against the host nation, the Czech Republic, at the 2026 European Volleyball Championship, advancing to the quarterfinals for one of their best performances in the tournament's history. The match took place in Brno on August 31, 2026, with Sweden winning the sets 25-19, 25-23, and 25-21.

Isabelle Haak was the standout player, contributing 31 points and leading the scoring at 205 points in the tournament. Her crucial contributions were instrumental throughout the match, including the set-winning point in the second set and helping orchestrate a comeback in the third. Other key moments included Anna Haak's successful block that energized the Swedish team and confident defensive plays by Linda Andersson and captain Anna Haak that secured the final point.

The Swedish team showed composure under pressure, overcoming early deficits in the first and third sets. Vilma Julevik highlighted the team's focus and disciplined game plan as a foundation for their success, and Hanna Hellvig noted the surprisingly nervous performance of the Czech team, despite their home advantage.

Looking forward, Sweden will face world number one and reigning world champions Italy in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, marking a rematch from the group stage where Sweden lost 0-3. The Swedish players expressed no pressure but are determined to put up a strong challenge. Isabelle Haak stated, "We will give it an honest chance... I really believe we can give them a match." Vilma Julevik added excitement about the opportunity to perform freely and enjoy the game.

This victory equals Sweden’s best EM performance to date, matching their 2021 record, and represents a milestone as they prepare to face the reigning Olympic and world champions. The upcoming match against Italy, scheduled for Wednesday at 18:50 and broadcast live on SVT, is eagerly anticipated as a test of Sweden's progress and potential in international volleyball.