The Blue and Yellows were desperate to win at Hovet in Stockholm against the Czech Republic to keep their World Cup dream alive. The hyped-up Swedish team - led by NBA star Pelle Larsson and Bobi Klintman - did what was required. And more. The Czech Republic was defeated 87-76.
In front of approximately 9,000 spectators, Blågult got off to a dream start to the game. After just ten minutes, the lead was up to 34-16. By halftime, the lead had grown to 26 points.
Nervous before
If it wasn't Pelle Larsson (19 points) who showed off his NBA skills, it was Bobi Klintman who really introduced himself to the Swedish basketball audience. In his senior national team debut - and the first game since leaving NBA team Detroit - the 23-year-old forward accounted for 18 points and 12 rebounds.
It's an indescribable feeling. Sold out at Hovet, there's nothing more you could ask for. The fact that we then take the win also makes it absolutely perfect, says Klintman after the match.
Sweden did not continue at the same furious pace throughout the match. The Czechs won both the third and fourth periods, but the lead was never threatened. The closest the Czechs came was eleven points behind.
We came out so hard and with so much emotion, and then maybe the energy ran out a little. We couldn't really run as much in the second half because they made more shots. Then we're a little inexperienced. We're still a young team, but it's only going to get better and better, says Miami player Pelle Larsson.
Decisive point loss
The loss of points at the end could be decisive, however. Since Estonia beat Slovenia, Sweden had to win by 18 points or more to put themselves in a golden position for the final group stage. Then the national team could have lost to Slovenia on Monday, but still advance to the next qualifying round.
Now Sweden must beat Slovenia - while the Czech Republic loses to Estonia - to advance.
We are a young team, a healthy team, so we are just going to run them out of the building from the very beginning, says Larsson.
The match against Slovenia starts at 8:00 PM.
