Italy sweeps Sweden 3-0 in Gothenburg to maintain perfect start at EuroVolley 2026
Italy secured their third straight-sets victory at EuroVolley 2026, beating host nation Sweden 3-0 in Gothenburg to maintain sole possession of first place in Pool D.
Sweep in Gothenburg
Italy claimed a third consecutive 3-0 victory at the 2026 Women's European Volleyball Championship, defeating tournament co-hosts Sweden at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg. The match ended 25-18, 25-23, 25-14 in one hour and 15 minutes in front of 6,800 spectators, establishing a record attendance for a volleyball match in Sweden. The result keeps Italy atop Pool D with a maximum nine points from three matches following earlier straight-set victories over Croatia and Montenegro. Head coach Julio Velasco guided the squad to the brink of the round of 16 without conceding a single set in the tournament. Lorenzo Micelli's Swedish side struggled to penetrate the Italian block despite supportive home backing.
Set progression and key substitutions
Italy opened the match with setter Alessia Orro, opposite Paola Egonu, outside hitters Myriam Sylla and Ekaterina Antropova, middle blockers Anna Danesi and Sarah Fahr, and libero Eleonora Fersino. Danesi and Antropova established an early 4-0 lead before Egonu expanded the advantage to 13-6 with attacks at the net. Antropova produced nine points in the opening frame at a 62% attack efficiency, allowing Italy to close the set 25-18. Sweden mounted their strongest challenge in the second set, recovering from an early deficit to tie the score at 23-23 behind opposite Isabelle Haak. Velasco introduced substitutes Carlotta Cambi and Merit Adigwe during the decisive points to secure the set 25-23, before Italy controlled the third set 25-14 through middle-court dominance.
- Ekaterina Antropova (ITA)
- 19 points
- Isabelle Haak (SWE)
- 15 points
- Paola Egonu (ITA)
- 14 points
- Sarah Fahr (ITA)
- 11 points
- Anna Haak (SWE)
- 10 points
- Anna Danesi (ITA)
- 5 points
- Myriam Sylla (ITA)
- 5 points
- Set 1 - Italy
- 25 points
- Set 1 - Sweden
- 18 points
- Set 2 - Italy
- 25 points
- Set 2 - Sweden
- 23 points
- Set 3 - Italy
- 25 points
- Set 3 - Sweden
- 14 points
Top scorers and Fahr's return
Antropova finished as the highest scorer of the match with 19 points, while Egonu added 14 points and Fahr contributed 11 points to win the Most Valuable Player award. Sweden's offense relied heavily on Isabelle Haak, who posted 15 points, and Anna Haak, who registered 10 points. Fahr returned to the starting lineup after resting during the previous match against Montenegro. She spoke after the victory about the physical rotation and the books distributed by Velasco to squad members.
Resting makes sense, to stay in shape the whole tournament.
He made it clear to us that it is not homework. I have already finished the first one given by Julio, now I am reading one I had brought, and then I will move on to the second from Velasco...
Tactical mindset and upcoming schedule
Velasco addressed the team's composure during competitive stretches, urging his players to stay grounded in the present match situation.
Sweden is not Turkey or Serbia, but a good team: if they score their points, we must not dwell on our mistakes.
Here and now means we must think not about yesterday or a past mistake, but about playing, while also accepting that the opponent can put us in difficulty.
Italy has a scheduled rest day on Monday before returning to the Scandinavium court on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. The team will face Slovakia, managed by Italian coach Martino Volpini, at 16:00 in their fourth group stage match.
