The head coach of the Swedish women's national volleyball team and former coach of Bulgaria, the Italian Lorenzo Micelli, announced the official squad of 14 players who will take part in the country's debut at a World Championship. The biggest name on the list, as expected, is the team's superstar – Isabelle Haak.
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The Swedish team will participate for the first time in its history in a World Championship, and the championship will be held from August 22 to September 7, 2025, in Thailand. In Group A, the Scandinavians will face the hosts from Thailand, the strong team of the Netherlands, and the representatives of Egypt – opponents from three different continents.
"Something wonderful awaits us. This is the biggest event this team has ever participated in. Everyone is motivated and proud," Micelli told the official website of the Swedish Federation.
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In recent years, the Swedish women's team has shown steady growth – a title in the European Golden League in 2024 and silver in 2023, which shows that the team has potential for progress beyond the European stage.
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Before heading to Thailand, Sweden will test their strength against leading teams in a preparatory tournament in South Korea. Opponents will be the hosts, as well as the national teams of Argentina, Czech Republic, France, and Japan.
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| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Setters | Hilda Gustafsson, Sonja Rundcrantz |
| Opposites | Isabelle Haak, Märtha Edlund |
| Outside Hitters | Alexandra Lazic, Anna Haak, Maya Tabron, Sabrina Finizi |
| Middle Blockers | Elsa Arrestad, Julia Nilsson, Kirsten van Leusen, Linda Andersson |
| Liberos | Filippa Brink, Elsa Nordin Ottosson |
The squad combines experience and youth. The core around the Haak sisters and Alexandra Lazic remains stable, while new names like Tabron and Finizi bring freshness. The coach relies on an even distribution across positions, which provides tactical flexibility. The main question remains whether they will be able to build the necessary synergy for a strong debut in the limited time.
Micheli's selection reflects Sweden's ambitions – to establish itself among the leading forces in European and now world women's volleyball. With a star of Isabelle Haak's caliber and a coach with international experience, the Swedes will be anything but a harmless debutant in Thailand. The match against the hosts could prove crucial for a potential advancement.
