The Swedish ladies would have started the European Championship qualifier tonight against Georgia, but the premiere has been canceled because Georgia has been infected with corona infection in the team.
Instead, Ukraine waits for the first match tomorrow.
- Ukraine is the biggest threat.
Teams from Eastern Europe are always difficult, they are often big and physical, says Andréa Jacobsson, SVT Sports' expert during the qualifying matches.
High expectations
In addition to Ukraine and Georgia, Portugal is also part of the group.
Jacobsson has high expectations of the Swedish women's team.
- The women's national team that will start this European Championship qualifier is one of the stronger we have had in recent years.
Above all, there are more players playing in European professional clubs and that does a lot.
she says and continues:
- Volleyball in Sweden is at a much lower level than the European leagues and then there will be a big gap when you meet international opposition in the national team context.
The men's team needs a few more years
She believes that Sweden, led by world star Isabelle Haak, will manage the European Championship ticket.
- It is more difficult to predict now that the pandemic has meant that the national team has not been seen for a very long time.
But I think the ladies go to the European Championships.
If they are first or second in the group, however, I dare not say.
On the men's side, Sweden will face the Netherlands and Croatia.
- There are two really good teams, especially the Netherlands, says Jacobsson who thinks that Sweden will have a hard time getting to the European Championships on the men's side.
- This national team needs a few more years.
We need more players who come out in Europe and take great responsibility in their clubs.
This can probably be seen as a bit of seeing and learning.