What: Women's Volleyball European Championship.
Where: Sweden plays its group matches in Scandinavium, Gothenburg.
When: August 21–September 6.
+ Isabelle Haak: “I feel strong”
Isabelle Haak has undoubtedly become the face of Swedish volleyball, as the titles have piled up for the 27-year-old. Two years ago, the star had to take a break from volleyball when a tight schedule and lack of rest led to fatigue syndrome. Two years later, and with the upcoming European Championship, she is where she wants to be.
It feels very good to feel strong physically and mentally, she says.
+ Meets the reigning world champion
In the third group-stage match, Sweden will face the reigning Olympic and world champions - Italy. Based on the rankings, Sweden is in 21st place compared with the world number one. Italy is not completely foreign to Sweden, as it is the home country of head coach Lorenzo Micelli. In addition, Isabelle Haak plays in the Italian league on a daily basis. Maybe that can help the Swedish national team give the favourite a worthy match?
+ Audience record expected
The attendance record for the women's national team is 4,020 people. This weekend, that number will be broken, as over 4,200 tickets have been sold for Friday's match against Montenegro - and even more for Saturday's and Sunday's matches.
+ Third European Championship since the success in 2021
It was a turning point for Swedish volleyball when the women's team played in the European Championship in 2021 - for the first time in 38 years. Sweden then managed to reach the quarter-finals. The last European Championship was played in 2023, which ended in the round of 16 against Serbia, who came second.
+ Sweden's group-stage matches
Friday, August 21: Montenegro, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22: Slovakia, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 23: Italy, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25: Croatia, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 27: France, 7:00 p.m.
+ This is how it is decided
The group stage is decided in four different groups, groups A-D, with six teams in each. Sweden's Group D includes favourites Italy and France. Sweden needs to finish in the top four in the group to advance to the round of 16 in the Czech Republic.
+ Other groups play here
Baku (Azerbaijan), Istanbul (Turkey) and Brno (Czech Republic). The finals will be decided in the latter two. The medal matches will be played in Turkey.
+ Television
SVT/SVT Play shows all of Sweden's matches.
+ Swedish European Championship squad
Hilda Gustafsson, Volley Düdingen, Switzerland.
Vilma Julevik, ETV Hamburger Volksbank Volleys, Germany.
Filippa Brink, Les Comètes d'Orléans, France.
Elsa Nordin Ottosson, Hylte Halmstad.
Elma Olofsson, Örebro Volleyball.
Erica Muhizi, Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles, USA.
Linda Andersson, Ita Tools Stal Mielec, Poland.
Malin Hallin, RIG Falköping/Kronan VBK.
Anna Haak, Victorina Himeji, Japan.
Cecilia Malm, USC Münster, Germany.
Maya Tabron, San Diego Mojo, USA.
Hanna Hellvig, Uni Opole, Poland.
Isabelle Haak, Imoco Volley Conegliano, Italy.
Martha Edlund, Aosta Volley, Italy.
