After an incredible drama, Sweden's volleyball ladies won the Golden League.
In the final, it was 3–2 in sets against favourites the Czech Republic.
I'm tearful, says Anna Haak to SVT.
In recent years, Sweden has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international volleyball scene.
There has been gold in the European Silver League and final losses in both the Golden League and Challenger Cup.
Nothing beats Sunday's performance, however.
"Incredibly proud"
In the Golden League final, it was a win against the notoriously tough Czech Republic. Sweden won 3–2 in sets after a real drama.
I'm incredibly proud and happy about what we've achieved, says star player Isabelle Haak in SVT's broadcast.
Her sister, Anna Haak, was at least as happy.
It feels so bloody fantastic. I'm tearful. We've never done anything bigger.
It always feels like we're doing something unexpected. We come in here as underdogs and we fight our way through this. We had a five-setter against Belgium (in the semi-final) and today we had another one that felt even tougher. We're exhausted but we fought, she continues.
Thrilling final
Sweden got a dream start to the final and took home the first set 25–22. The Czech women came back and won both the second and third sets – and at that point, the title seemed to be slipping out of the Swedes' hands.
But Sweden rallied, won the fourth set and also the fifth and decisive one, 15–11.
We've met so many great teams on the way, and also today, says Isabelle Haak.
Sweden had already secured a spot in the Challenger Cup, where the world's best national teams meet. The Challenger Cup is a qualifying tournament for the Nations League, and successes in the upcoming tournaments could give Sweden a historic World Championship ticket. The last spots for the 2025 Championship will be awarded at the end of August and will go to the highest-ranked countries on the world ranking. Right now, Sweden is in 24th place.
