10/05/2015 14:48
Israel’s women and Slovakia’s men upset Danes to challenge host France for second place in Pool D
2014-2016 CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup - Men & Women
Montpellier, France, May 10, 2015. The Continental Cup resumed on Sunday morning at Parc de la Rauze in Montpellier with the teams that had lost yesterday’s semis trying to use their last opportunity to continue their journey in the competition by making it at least among the top three of Pool D. It wasn’t a lucky day for the Danish teams as both their men’s and women’s duos lost to Slovakia and Israel, respectively, thereby being eliminated from the competition. The home heroes and heroines of France are now set to play for second place in the pool in order to get a more favourable seed in Round 4 which is due to follow later this summer.
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Women
Israel vs. Denmark 2:0
Jennifer Guz and Yael Yellin opened this tie cruising to a speedy win over their Danish opponents, Eva Mielskog Bang and Cecilie Kollner Olsen (21-12, 21-13) in only 34 minutes of play. The match played in the centre court followed a different pattern and it was a lot closer. Israel’s Aliona Cherkez and Einav Muharer claimed the opening set by 21-16 but Denmark’s Line Trans Hansen and Helle Sondergaard responded by seizing the second by 21-14. The Danes had to win the tie-break that was due to follow in order to stay alive in the competition but eventually Cherkez and Muharer had the upper hand at 15-13 to get the right to challenge France for second place in the pool later in the afternoon. With this, Denmark have to settle for fourth place and are eliminated from the competition. Israel’s Aliona Cherkez commented: “We have been working really hard and we practiced a lot back home before this tournament. We had to win a tough match and in the end we were able to do so.”
Men
Denmark vs. Slovakia 1:2
Denmark was still in the race also in the men’s competition after losing to France in yesterday’s semis. Kristoffer Abell and Peter Kildegaard opened the tie with Slovakia in the best way easily claiming their match with Oliver Cizmazia and Michal Kollar (21-15, 21-16). The Slovaks could not compensate for their slow start in each of the two sets and made a way too many mistakes to stay in contention for a victory. Igor Horvath and Matej Hukel, on the other hand, kept Slovakia’s hopes alive as they set the pace for most of their match with Oliver and Sebastian Venndt Kaszas. The Slovaks were able to call for the golden match after two match balls to seal the final 21-16, 14-21, 18-16 in their favour. Horvath and Hukel were chosen to carry Slovakia’s hopes also in the golden match and took on Abell/Kildegaard. The match was another close affair with the Slovaks eventually winning the first set by 21-15. The Danes were extremely motivated to fight back as this was their last chance to stay alive in the competition and they won the second by 21-18. Horvath and Hukel were off to a flying start in the tie-break that followed and did not look back up to the final 15-7 to make sure Slovakia progresses to Round 4 of the Continental Cup and will challenge France for second place in Pool D.
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