The Swedish women's national team won the 2026 European Golden League title after defeating Slovenia 3:2 (15:25, 18:25, 25:20, 25:18, 15:12) in the second final match between the two teams. Thus, the Scandinavians finished the tournament with an impressive 10 wins from 10 matches and deservedly took home the gold medals, having already triumphed in 2024.
Just a few days earlier in Örebro, the Swedes again prevailed over the Slovenians with a 3:2 (25:17, 20:25, 22:25, 25:15, 15:11) victory, coming back from a 1:2 set deficit. In the return leg in Ljubljana, they had to show even greater character, as the hosts started furiously and took a 2:0 lead after sets of 25:15 and 25:18.
Slovenia was close to leveling the aggregate score in the final series and securing a "golden set," but Sweden gradually found their rhythm. Following instructions from Italian coach Lorenzo Micelli, the team started playing significantly more aggressively from serve and in attack, which turned the tide of the match.
The leader of the Swedish squad, Isabelle Haak, once again led the team to success. On her birthday, the star opposite hitter scored 28 points, four of which came in the decisive tie-break.
An additional blow for the Slovenians was the injury to their key attacker Fatoumata Sillah, who suffered a foot injury in the fourth set and could not finish the match. This further tipped the scales in favor of the visiting team, who kept their composure and closed out the tie-break 15:12.
The success comes just weeks before the European Championship, which Sweden will co-host, staging matches in Gothenburg. In the Scandinavians' camp, the Golden League win was described as ideal preparation for the championship on the Old Continent, as the tough matches against Hungary and Slovenia have given the team the necessary confidence.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the title, Slovenia also has reason for satisfaction. Together with Sweden, Hungary, and Slovakia, the Slovenians secured participation in the 2028 European Championship after the top four teams in the revamped European League format received direct quotas.