Svezia e Ucraina rappresenteranno l'Europa nella prossima Volleyball Challenger Cup 2023 che si terrà dal 27 al 30 luglio. Le due squadre hanno superato imbattute le semifinali della CEV European Golden League, qualificandosi così per la finale in casa e in trasferta della prossima settimana e per la Challenger Cup, dove avranno l'opportunità di conquistare un posto nella Volleyball Nations League 2024.

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Anche le due semifinali dell'Europa League si sono giocate in casa e in trasferta. La prima tappa si è svolta domenica e la seconda mercoledì.

La stella della Generazione O svedese Isabelle Haak ha realizzato 38 punti nella vittoria casalinga per 3-2 (24-26, 25-16, 16-25, 25-17, 18-16) contro il Belgio a Lund. L'impressionante punteggio di Haak comprende quattro ace e tre blocchi di kills, oltre a una percentuale di successo in attacco del 52%. La sua compagna di squadra al centro, Jonna Wasserfaller, ha fatto ancora meglio dalla linea di servizio con ben sei aces a suo nome.

The Swedes were more emphatic in Wednesday’s return game in Roeselare, when they mastered a 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-17) shutout of their hosts, with Haak producing another amazing tally of 27 points (1 block, 59% in attack). Her sister Anna Haak added 11 points towards the victory.

“We are really happy with what we have achieved so far. We have worked hard and we are still at the beginning of our journey as a team,” said Sweden’s head coach Lauri Hakala. “Now we need to focus on recovery so that we can recharge for everything to come, the Golden League final, the Challenger Cup and the European Championship later this summer.”

Ukraine hosted their home match of the semifinal series against Czechia in the Romanian city Piatra-Neamt. With opposite Anastasiia Kraiduba contributing a match-high 20 points, including two aces, the Ukrainians cruised to a convincing 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) sweep. Outside hitter Oleksandra Milenko also reached the double digits with 13 points.

Coach Ivan Petkov’s players lost the first set of the away game in Tabor, but bounced back to take the next three and celebrate qualification. This time Milenko was the leading scorer with 21 points, including three aces and a block, towards Ukraine’s 3-1 (22-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-16) victory over Czechia. Kraiduba put away 18 points (2 aces, 1 block, 63% in attack).

Nine national teams took part in the first stage of the European Golden League, split into three double-round-robin pools of three. Ukraine, Czechia and Belgium advanced to the semifinals as pool winners, while Sweden progressed as the best pool runners-up (second to Belgium in Pool A).

Ukraine will host Sweden for the first leg of next week’s final on Thursday. Haak and her teammates will entertain the Ukrainians for the return match on Sunday.

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