The number seven didn't prove to be a lucky charm for Sweden at the U18 European Championship for Women last year.

That was how many defeats they suffered - out of eight games played - leading to a disappointing 12th place finish in Novi Sad, Serbia.

But seven was just the right number on Saturday night as Jan Enjebo's girls drilled that many three-pointers

Danielle Hamilton Carter is a key cog in the Sweden machine.

in the first half alone - including buzzer beaters to end both the first and second quarters - on their way to a 69-49 destruction of Croatia.

That result has gone a long way towards getting over a 91-60 loss against France in their Group D opener on Friday and now has Sweden feeling confident ahead of their clash against defending champions Serbia.

"We had a good first half and once we got in front, we made sure we didn't leave the door open for them to catch up with us", said centre Danielle Hamilton-Carter who finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes.

Although their shooting proficiency deserted them somewhat after the break, that didn't in anyway deter Sweden from changing their game plan.

"We didn't stop being aggressive on the offensive end. We kept playing our style of play which is to lock down on defense and look to get out and run," added captain Stefanie Yderstrom, who displayed her full array of skills with 16 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

Yderstrom and Hamilton-Carter have been the one-two punch for Engebo's side so far in Nitra.

They are the team's most experienced players having gone through last year's tough run in Serbia and then got to be a part of Sweden's spectacular push to the final at the U19 World Championship for Women.

According to Engebo, taking part in those two competitions has really improved the pair's play and, maybe more importantly, their leadership.

"They got to see the two extremes - the losing and the winning - in a matter of a few weeks (last summer) and I think it has really registered with them. Having seen how their older team-mates prepared, they saw what they have to do to lead this team to success."

However, Sweden aren't getting carried away quite yet. If their defeat at the hands of France has taught them anything, it's not to look too far ahead.

"We played well in the first quarter of that game and had the lead (20-18)," Hamilton-Carter recalled.  "But then they just outplayed us the rest of the way. I don't think we played particularly badly and in fact we thought we matched up well enough with them.

"It just goes to show that you don't really know what to expect from one game to the next or even from one quarter to the next."

As they take things one step at a time, the Swedes are also taking the time to enjoy the camaraderie.

Five of the team's players are at the same club of Telge while Hamilton-Carter is the sole representative of 08 Stockholm at this tournament.

But that, she insists, doesn't make her an outsider with her team-mates on the national team.

"I get along fine with everyone," she said with Yderstrom, standing right next to her. "We're having great fun. However, it's different when we play against each other, but it's all good fun here."

The Swedish players are able to enjoy every moment of it thanks to their small group of fans - made up mainly of family members - who travelled all the way here to cheer them on, through thick and thin, win or lose.