Volleyball

Sweden and Portugal ready to battle for the Silver #EuroLeagueW trophy

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Article Tue, Jun 28 2022
Author: Martyna Szydłowska

Only one question remains in the 2022 EuroLeague: who will lift the trophy in the CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2022 - Women? The do-or-die match between Sweden and Portugal on 2nd July at Idrottshallen LUND will determine the winner. Their two clashes in the League Round produced a highly-thrilling five-set Volleyball show and no one should be surprised if it happens again in the grand final on Saturday.

The League Round of the CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2021 - Women delivered twenty exciting fixtures, and no one of five participating teams didn't survive this double round-robin undefeated. Sweden, with a record of seven victories and one loss, topped the standings. Their only defeat came in a five-setter against Portugal in Leg 4's match played in Lund and although they prevailed in the re-match in Santo Tirso in Leg 7, it again required as many as five sets. In both these encounters - that shouldn't be any surprise - Isabelle Haak was the top scorer, with 34 and 37 points to her name. As it befits a high-class Volleyball star, she is the player to make a difference on the court, especially that in both games she recorded almost 50% success in attack. She also tops the scorers' chart after the League Round - with an impressive 203 points, including 171 kills, 19 aces, 13 points and 51% success in attack. It's even more notable when it's compared to the second player on the list - Portugal's Julia Kavalenka who tallied 150 points (127 kills, 13 blocks, 11 aces and 46% success in attack). Kavalenka was also the most prominent player in the match-ups against Sweden, scoring 23 and 22 points, respectively. To make the extremely enthusiastic home crowd even more proud, the team around Lauri Hakala will need a brilliant performance not only from Isabelle Haak, but also other Sweden's players. Anna Haak has been a solid support to her sister, scoring 78 points in this campaign, along with Alexandra Lazic (71 points).

On their road to the final, Portugal suffered an upset also in their away game against Slovenia (3-1 in Leg 8), but the final game and a chance to achieve the historic title will definitely make them highly motivated. While Kavalenka has been the best scorer of the team under the guidance of the coach Hugo Silva, their middle blockers also shone through. Carina Moura and Katia Oliveira have been the most successful on their positions in this edition. Moura recorded 29 blocks (out of 79 points), while Oliveira 13 stuffs (66 points). The other player to watch is Margarida Maia, an outside hitter, who recorded 74 points so far. The decisions made on the court by playmakers from both teams, so Eliana Dura and Vilma Andersson, will definitely be interesting to observe during this highly-anticipated battle. Portugal, who in the 2021 edition were ranked 4th, have already secured their first-ever medal in this competition, but definitely are eager to win the title and ticket to the Golden #EuroLeagueW 2023. Once, Sweden will fight hard to regain the title that they earned in 2018.

Volleyball fans can follow the final of the CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2022 - Women on EuroVolleyTV.*

*Geo-restrictions may apply.

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