Sweden is the reigning champion in the national team tournament.
The match was played in Örebro, where the second match in the pool play will also be played, against Romania on Saturday.
It was an even event where Portugal began best and won the first set with 25–23. Sweden came back and won with 25–20.
It was not the finest we have played, but we are known for our comebacks. It was nice to win the third set (26–24) and be able to maintain the level in the fourth and win the match, says the new team captain Anna Haak to SVT.
We told each other that we needed to calm down the game and have better focus. It became a little better but we can do better than this.
In three weeks, the pool play will be played. The four best teams will then make up in the Final four, with semifinals and matches, on June 28 and 29.
In August-September, Sweden will then play the World Championship for the first time.
