2–0 in set (21–17, 21–16) against Brazil's Arthur Lanci and Evandro Oliveira was a new display of strength from Åhman and Hellvig, after a slightly unexpected shaky start to the Olympic Games tournament.
The Swedish world champions, who lost two matches in the group stage, are now just one win away from an Olympic medal – which would be the first blue and yellow one in beach volleyball.
It's super nice to have made it to the semifinal, we've dreamed about it for as long as we can remember, says Åhman.
Had the grip from the start
Just like in the round of 16, Åhman/Hellvig faced a team that had won all their matches without losing a single set, but it's as if the Swedish Olympic debutants have now left their nerves behind and taken on the role of the world champions they are.
The first set was indeed even, but from the start, it was Sweden that had the upper hand. An early 4–0 lead gave them an advantage that Åhman/Hellvig never relinquished. On the third of five set balls, Oliveira served out to a Swedish set win 21–17.
The second set was reminiscent of the first. The Brazilians were always the chasing team, and in the end, it was time for Swedish match balls, four in total. The Swedes took advantage of the first, Åhman dunked a smash into the sand and secured a spot in the Olympic semifinal.
"A big goal for many years"
It hasn't really sunk in yet that we're so close to a medal, we've dreamed about it for as long as we've been playing together. It's been a big goal for many years, says Hellvig.
In the semifinal, they will face either the Americans Miles Partain and Andy Benesh or Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, the Qataris who defeated Åhman/Hellvig in the group stage.
We're super happy that we've made it to the semi, and we'll do everything to play well and try to win the two remaining matches we have now. It feels incredibly fun, says Hellvig.
