Sweden have reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s European Volleyball Championship for only the second time in their history after defeating fellow co-hosts Czech Republic 3-0 in Brno.

Sweden had finished third in Group D after recording three wins and two defeats in Gothenburg. However, their home advantage disappeared in the knockout stage, with the Round of 16 tie against Czech Republic presenting a difficult challenge in front of a hostile home crowd.

The Swedes handled the pressure impressively. They recovered from a 7-4 deficit to level the opening set at 8-8 before turning a 9-9 scoreline into an 11-7 advantage.

Sweden continued to build their lead and moved as many as eight points clear before eventually taking the first set 25-19.

The second set was closely contested in the early stages, with neither side able to establish more than a two-point advantage. Sweden then produced a crucial 5-0 run, turning a 14-14 tie into a 19-14 lead and silencing the home supporters.

Czech Republic fought back strongly and reduced the deficit to just one point at 22-21, but Sweden held their nerve to edge the set 25-23 and move within one set of the quarter-finals.

The victory gave Sweden three opportunities to close out the match, but they needed only one.

The third set again began with little separating the sides, although Sweden managed to establish several three-point leads. Czech Republic refused to go away, but the Swedes produced another timely 5-2 run to level the set at 21-21.

From there, Sweden took control, winning the final four points in succession to claim the set 25-21 and complete a 3-0 victory.

The result sends Sweden into their second-ever European Championship quarter-final, having previously reached the last eight in 2021.

Standing in their way will be Italy, who Sweden already faced in the group stage. Italy won that meeting 3-0, meaning the Swedes will be looking for a very different result when the teams meet again in Brno on September 2.

Italy have been one of the tournament’s standout teams so far, remaining unbeaten at the European Championship after defeating Bulgaria 3-0 in the Round of 16. They have dropped just one set across their six matches.

Sweden will now have to put their previous defeat to Italy behind them quickly as they prepare for a place in the semi-finals and a chance to continue their historic run.