After the home defeat (77:88) against the same opponent last Friday, the conditions were crystal clear. Estonia had to be defeated in Tallinn for Blågult to have a possible chance of participating in the 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar.
It also started promisingly, with Sweden leading at the start of the game before the Estonians were able to get back into the game. At halftime the score was 38:38.
The teams then played a game that was obviously going to turn into a big drama. With eight minutes left in the final quarter, the score was still tied, 58-58. Then Sweden went into extra gear and secured a lead that they could never reduce. The final quarter was ultimately won by a whopping 14 points.
Team captain Ludvig Håkanson was the game’s top scorer with 18 points.
Because Sweden is waiting now two games remaining in qualifying, against the Czech Republic and Slovenia in July.
Sweden is in last place in the qualifying group, but has the possibility of promotion and still needs to get more results. Three out of four teams in the group advance to the next qualifying round.
Sweden was without NBA star Pelle Larsson and key cogs Simon Birgander and Barra Njie, both of whom are injured.
The World Cup is held every four years and Sweden has never taken part.
