Next tie 13-15 September 2013
Sweden will play Slovak Republic away in a bid to avoid a Europe/Africa Zone Group I relegation play-off with Denmark in October. The two nations have shared the honours in their two previous meetings in 1998 and 1999, with both clashes narrow affairs.
Last tie 5-7 April 2013
Sweden missed out on a spot in the World Group play-offs, and the potential of an immediate return to the World Group after 12 years in the top tier, after a 3-2 defeat to Ukraine. The result was perhaps closer than expected given that over 600 spots seperated Sweden's top two nominated singles players Markus Erikkson and Isak Arvidsson from Ukraine's, Alexandr Dolgopolov and Sergiy Stakhovsky. It was the latter who clinched the tie for the hosts in the fifth rubber, defeating Arvidsson in straight sets.
History
Sweden lies fifth on the all-time list of champions, having won the title on seven occasions between 1975 and 1998. Sweden holds the record for the most number of comebacks, five, from 0-2 down. Bjorn Borg, meanwhile, holds the individual record for the longest unbeaten streak, having tallied 33 rubbers without a loss between 1973 and 1980.