After the victory over Great Britain over the weekend, there was a chance against Montenegro to secure a Swedish advancement to the round of 16.
And in their first European Championship since 2013, the Swedish men's basketball team was so close to achieving a long-awaited success.
Instead, it was a painful loss, which means that the blue and yellow team's chances of advancing are small before the group final against Lithuania on Wednesday.
I am very, very disappointed. We were a few minutes away from advancing, says Sweden's national team captain Mikko Riipinen to SVT.
It was a nerve-wracking thriller against Montenegro where everything ultimately came down to which team was coolest in the final minutes.
Lost in the end
Sweden led 77-73 with just four minutes left, but Montenegro turned around and relatively easily kept away in the final minute.
We must be able to score in the end of the game. Until then, we did a great job and then they stopped us at the same time as we didn't get it on them, says Pelle Larsson.
It was swinging and exciting from the start, but not particularly well-played when Sweden and Montenegro faced off in Monday's early match.
Montenegro did not start overly well.
The problem was that Sweden started even worse.
When it looked worst at the beginning of the second period, Montenegro led 26-17.
Sweden turned to lead, only to lose again to a large deficit - 34-42 - early after the break.
Then it was above all Pelle Larsson, the only NBA professional in Sweden's squad, who stepped forward. Ten straight blue and yellow points meant a lead of 44-42 and already at that point Larsson had made 20 points.
From the bench, guard Barra Njie also pleased with a new strong substitute appearance.
During the second quarter, it was at the same time primarily 34-year-old NBA veteran Nicola Vucevic who caused problems for the Swedish defense.
28 points by Larsson
It continued to swing. Sweden led by six points for a while. Montenegro turned around and had the grip with five early in the last period before it swung further into the end.
Pelle Larsson finished the match with 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists - but as a loser.
Now Sweden must hope for help with other results to be able to advance in the European Championship.
Facts: This is how Sweden plays in the European Championship basketball
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Sweden plays the entire group stage in Tampere. Of the six teams in group B, four will advance to the round of 16.
Sweden's matches in the European Championship:
Finland, loss 90-93.
Germany, loss 83-105.
Great Britain, win 78-59.
Montenegro, loss 81-87.
Wednesday: Lithuania.
