Portugal stun Serbia to secure ticket to #EuroVolleyU17M Finals
Luxembourg, April 26, 2019. On Friday, Portugal became the first team to book their spot in the Final Round of this year’s #EuroVolleyU17M from the second round of qualifications. They did so after claiming a comprehensive 3-0 victory over hosts Serbia in Pool B. Russia and Slovakia are due to lock horns for the top spot in Pool A on Saturday, with Greece looking as the dominant force in Pool E after two straight wins. The five pool winners as well as the best runner-up across all pools will compete in the Final Round due to take place later this summer in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Pool A in Anapa (RUS)
Slovakia and Hungary opened the programme of the second competition day in Anapa, with Slovakia recording a 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17) victory to keep a perfect record in the tournament. After a close start (5-5), Hungary claimed a 17-12 lead in the first set but a timeout and two successful blocks by Patrik Kudra helped Slovakia edge ahead (21-20) and secure a 25-23 win. Slovakia were the dominant force in the second set (12-7) and despite Hungary’s attempts to come back, the Slovaks won the set quite comfortably (25-19). Hungary fought back in the third set (7-5, 12-9) before Slovakia flipped the charts around (16-12). This time, however, Hungary did not surrender and eventually pulled out a 25-20 win. Despite the additional support from their mascot, a little green dragon, Hungary could not keep the same pace in the fourth set and Slovakia eventually finished it all off at 25-17 for a 3-1 victory.
Erik Gabor, head coach of Slovakia: “This match was very important, just like every match in this tournament. We lost the third set because we could not control Hungary’s service but we served very well ourselves in the fourth and eventually won.”
Balint Oliver Kecskemeti, player of Hungary: “I would like to congratulate the team of Slovakia, because today they played better than we did. Tomorrow we will try to do our best to win against the Netherlands.”
Hosts Russia were on a class of their own as they beat the Netherlands 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-19). After a brilliant ace of Nikolai Zubov, the Netherlands had to take a timeout (10-5); it seemed that it helped, but under the cheering sounds of the fans sitting on the tribunes, Russia continued to build up their advantage (16-8). Russia did not stop to put pressure with their serving game and eventually closed the first set 25-20. The Netherlands celebrated every point scored as a great achievement and this helped them reduce the gap and prompt a Russian timeout in the second set (15-12). However, Russia remained in full control (25-20) and continued to set the pace of the game also in the third set (6-1). The Netherlands, however, took the lead after scoring five times in a row (12-13), and Russia had to analyse their next steps during a timeout. Russia soon fought back and eventually closed the match in their favour.
Vladimir Khromenkov, head coach of Russia: “Today we were less anxious than yesterday, and I think it did not take us as long to find our rhythm. However, we still lose focus and concentration when we lead comfortably and this is our weak component, we should work on it. In the third set, for instance, the Netherlands came back and we found ourselves trailing in the score but it was a good experience for our young team: they had to find a way out of this situation. They handled it well and I am glad for them.”
Arne Hendriks, head coach of the Netherlands: “I am satisfied about the game, about our play despite that the stats are not on our side. I think we made it difficult for the Russian team, as they had to substitute quite a number of players. Therefore, compliments for our players after the match from yesterday, but also congratulations to Russia, because they were better than us.”
Pool B in Belgrade (SRB)
Portugal qualified for the #EuroVolleyU17M Final Round after beating the hosts of the tournament, Serbia, in straight sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-18). Portugal were the better side from start to end and deservedly took maximum three points from this duel and sealed the top spot in Pool B after just two competition days. Serbia can still hope to finish as the best second ranked team across all pools. Nuno Marques of Portugal was the ‘man of the match’ with 21 points, while on the losing side only Branko Kopitić stood up scoring 8 times.
Nuno Pereira, head coach of Portugal: “For us it was a very good match, we managed to stop Serbia in those aspects of the game where they are stronger. Good job for us.”
Strahinja Kozić, head coach of Serbia: “Portugal have very strong teams in all younger categories, and we knew that. My players fought as much as they could, and I cannot be angry with them. Technically, the Portuguese boys were far superior to ours, but still I am confident that my boys will grow into very decent players, and I believe that some of them will even compete at the top level. We turn to tomorrow’s match, we have to win it and hope for the best.”
In the first match of day 2 in Belgrade at the #EuroVolleyU17M qualifier, Sweden celebrated their first win edging Latvia in five sets 3-2 (25-23, 32-30, 14-25, 20-25, 16-14). It was a closely contested match right from the start. Sweden showed more fighting spirit in the first two sets and went up 2-0, but then Latvia completely changed their approach to this game and surprised their rivals winning the following two sets quite easily. In the fifth, they even had a match point (14-13) but Sweden wrapped it up with 3 consecutive points for the final score of 16-14 and 3-2. The best player of the match was Kristians Fokerots of Latvia who scored 17 points, while on the winning side Hampus Ekstrand registered 16.
Pool C in Zaporizhzhia (UKR)
After losing their respective opening matches, outsiders Belgium and Israel took to the court for a second time in Zaporizhzhia. The young Red Dragons of Belgium stormed to a comprehensive 3-0 victory (25-17, 25-18, 25-23), meaning that Israel are out of contention for a spot in the Final Round after suffering two straight losses. Belgian Ferre Reggers was amazing in attack, as he scored 25 points and he became the biggest threat for the team of Israel. Therefore, after this victory, the Belgians remain in contention for a spot in the #EuroVolleyU17M Finals.
Pool D in Ploiesti (ROU)
Even though Estonia won the match in three sets (25-23, 28-26, 25-17), the game was fairly close and exciting. The score was tight for most of the first set but the Estonian team spirit made the difference in the end. The Estonian boys were better the whole way and Denmark was close, especially in the second set, but they lacked experience in the deciding moments.
The second match of the third competition day in Ploiesti pitted hosts Romania against Slovenia. It was an extremely exciting game where the home side made many mistakes but the hosts emerged victorious after showing great character and determination with Alin-Florin Ion top scoring with 24 points. Slovenia started well and won the first set 25-20. The second set, on the other hand, ended the other way around. The third one was a close race with Slovenia making the difference with their serves (25-21). Romania responded by taking the fourth 25-13 and leading the way at the side switch in the tiebreak. After that, the Slovenian team made a few mistakes that Romania used to their advantage to win the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.
Pool E in Herceg Novi (MNE)
Greece claimed their second straight victory in Herceg Novi as they beat Austria 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-22) to keep a perfect record in the competition.
Andreas Reiser, assistant coach of Austria: “Greece were better in every element, and we were especially bad at block and defence. They deserved to win, congratulations. We must focus on our next match tomorrow.”
Sergio Stricca, player of Greece: “It was a good match; maybe we did not play our best but the victory is what matters in the end. We hope to deliver a better performance tomorrow.”
Later in the evening, Belarus stunned hosts Montenegro by cruising to a 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-22, 25-21).
Matija Ćinćur, captain of Montenegro: “I want to congratulate Team Belarus on delivering such a great performance. We did our best.”
Aliaksei Kavaliou, head coach of Belarus: “We are happy with this match. We changed the setter and the outside-spiker and they played well. I am glad that we won 3-0, because this keeps us in contention for a spot in the Final Round.”
Source: www.cev.eu
Posted in International on Apr 27, 2019
