The blue and yellow national team started its first World Championship match ever against group favorite the Netherlands with energy and fighting spirit.
It was the Netherlands that was in the driver's seat in terms of points for a long time.
Swedish superstar Isabelle Haak made a few easy mistakes, but also bombed in many of Sweden's points.
Sweden saved two set balls before being able to take home the first set 27–25.
"Fight for every point"
In the second set, however, both teams' premiere nerves were gone and the Netherlands, which was better on paper, could take command directly with a handful of points. That lead held throughout the set to a clear victory 25–11.
We must make them fight for every point, says national team coach Lorenzo Micelli during the break between the second and third sets in SVT's broadcast.
The third set became much more even. Sweden had the lead at 21–18 but could not tie up the set. A hacking attacking game invited the Netherlands, which with seven straight points took the set win 25–18.
Deciding set
The fourth set was also even, but with a Swedish advantage. Sweden took themselves forward to a strong lead, 18–13, the Netherlands narrowed in but Sweden could maintain the lead throughout the set and force a deciding set after 25–21.
That we stand here and challenge a team like the Netherlands to a fifth set, it's indescribable, says veteran Alexandra Lazic to SVT after the match.
The set win and the forcing of a fifth set gives Sweden its first World Championship point despite the loss.
"Gather experience"
For in the fifth and deciding set, there was never any question about it. The Netherlands went directly up to a 5–0 lead and even though Sweden came back, the world eights could take home the set and the match through 15–9.
We are here to gather experience, says Isabelle Haak in SVT's broadcast after the match.
Sweden's second group stage match is against the host nation Thailand on Sunday at 15.30 Swedish time.
Thailand will be a completely different type of game, it will go faster, there will be more combinations, says Alexandra Lazic to SVT after the match and continues:
It's about keeping a cool head from the first ball.
