A tough start for Sweden resulted in a Swedish loss.
When the Swedes had a hard time getting control of their three-point shooting, Belarus were exemplary with theirs, and it was a fantastic start for the red and whites.
Kalis Loyd had a hard time finding the basket, and it was only in the second period that he scored his first two points.
Despite a strong defense of Sweden, Belarus was dominant under the basket, something that SVT Sports expert Elisabeth Egnell took note of.
- Sweden is vulnerable under the baskets, says Egnell.
They were two difficult periods for the Swedes who, despite the Belarusian press, were able to play their way to a good end.
Where you often missed.
In the halftime break, it was 40-29 to Belarus.
- It's a tough half, where they get simple points under the baskets.
We have to be physical, push a little and pull a few fouls to mark that here it is not easy to get points, says Elin Eldebrink to SVT Sport.
"You can not flirt back"
Before the third period, Eldebrink thought that the blue and yellows had to find their way back to their game, but Belarus continued to put pressure and dominated.
Before the last period, Sweden had 15 points to collect, and the frustration was palpable.
- You can not fine-tune yourself back into the match, then you may have to play a more physical game, says SVT sports expert Elisabeth Egnell.
And Sweden did not return.
Coach Marco Crespi's main focus has been on Slovakia and Belarus, but the "easy" road became tough against today's opponents.
Frida Eldebrink was the strongest with her 13 points, but it was not enough all the way for Sweden.
A clear victory and a straight path to the quarter-finals for Belarus and Sweden is dependent on other results, where Spain must win against Slovakia.
- It's a tough match.
I think we do a decent job, but it's just forgetting the match, says Kalis Loyd after the match.