The change of setting from the Swedish group stage in Gothenburg to the Czech play-offs in Brno was no problem for the Swedish national team, which took the lead in the first set.
Both Sweden and the Czech Republic have managed to come back from deficits during the European Championship group stage, but just like when the teams last met, in the 2024 Golden League final, it was Sweden that came out on top in Monday's round of 16.
Haak: Did what we were supposed to do
"It's nice to beat them on their home court, they had really good support from the crowd, but it felt like we were in control of the game. We did what we had to do," says Isabelle Haak.
Vilma Julevik conceded several points on serve, but also made sure to keep delivering pass after pass to Isabelle Haak and Hanna Hellvig, which led to victory.
Despite the victory for the Swedish women's volleyball team, the set was tight throughout the match, which both Sweden's Isabelle Haak and Czech spiker Michaela Mlejnková had predicted before the match. But the Swedish defence found its rhythm and the Czechs ultimately could not stop Isabelle Haak.
"It feels good that we are so stable. We have grown a lot from playing so much in recent days," says the star.
Chance for revenge
Sweden will face reigning world champion and Olympic gold medallist Italy in the European Championship quarter-finals, which will be played on Wednesday in Brno. It will be a chance for revenge, as Sweden lost the meeting in the European Championship group stage 3-0 in sets.
They are the ones under pressure, so everything is on them, says Isabelle Haak about the European Championship favourite.
