Sweden beat Slovenia in the last group match in the Silver League.
Thus, women’s volleyball become the leaders of the group and gain ground in the final.
– It means a lot, says passerby Velma Anderson.
Sweden convincingly won the Lund match 3-0 in sets (25-19, 25-20, 25-16).
With this win, Sweden tops the silver league table and will win it, although the Slovenia and Portugal matches remain.
As group leader, Sweden will play a home match in the group final against already group runners-up Portugal on 2 July. The match is also held in Lund.
It means a lot to be able to play the final at home. It’s not often done, so it means an incredible amount, Anderson tells TT.
The winner of the final will secure a place in next year’s top league, the Gold League.
Winning the Lund match was never threatened. In Group C, Sweden went from 5-5 to 20-6, before Slovenia caught some balls. Sweden can then secure the set and match with a score of 25-16.
Slovenia came into play after its victory over Portugal.
So we were more prepared for it to be a tough match. I think Slovenia’s victory over Portugal may have helped us, says Anderson.
She says the key to victory was good service.
– Many girls did good services today, they helped us a lot.
The match against Slovenia gave Sweden important pieces of the puzzle over how they would play against Portugal in the final. Sweden won their group meeting 3-2 in groups.
– We must bear in mind that even in that match from the beginning we continue to lead. Now we know a little bit more how they play, Anderson says.
Corrected: In an earlier version it was mentioned that it was not clear who Sweden would face in the group final. The right thing is for Sweden to face Portugal.