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Without a shot at qualifying for women’s EuroVolley 2021, Portugal finished their Pool B campaign with a victory over pool winners Sweden. On Sunday in Tbilisi, they claimed a 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 25-22) win to improve their record to 3-3 and hand the already qualified Swedes their first defeat in these qualifiers.

The match went underway with Sweden’s super star Isabelle Haak and Alexandra Lazic not among the starters. Without Ana Vale on the Portuguese side, the squad from southwestern Europe dashed into the first set on a 9-1 run, but had to survive a late scare as Sweden got back to within one at 23-22. Setter Ana Couto nailed an overpassing opponents’ misset to Sweden’s floor and closed the first part at 25-23. At 5-4 Portugal’s way in the second set, Sweden’s Rebecka Lazic had to walk off the court injured and was replaced by twin sister Alexandra. She strengthened the reception and helped create opportunities for Isabelle Haak’s older sister Anna. She put away nine points in the set to help Sweden on the way to a 25-22 win.

With Margarida Maia responsible for three of Portugal’s five aces in the third set, they were well in control of the scoreboard until Aline Rodrigues’s first-tempo attack finished the set at 25-18. The fourth set was also all about Portugal. Sweden managed to catch up in the score a few times during the set, but never stepped in front. Maria Lopes spearheaded the Portuguese offence and spiked the winning point as her team celebrated with a 25-22 close.

With eight of her 21 points scored in the last set, Maria Lopes was Portugal’s top scorer of the match. Sweden’s Anna Haak delivered the match high of 22.