Luxembourg, September 22, 2019. Seven of eight CEV EuroVolley 2019 Men quarterfinalists emerged on Saturday, as France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine celebrated victorious after their eighthfinal games. The last team with a spot among the best eight of the tournament became known on Sunday, when Italy booked their ticket to the next round.
In the quarterfinal match-ups that have been formed, Germany will face Poland and Russia will meet Slovenia on Monday; Ukraine will take on Serbia, while France entertain Italy on Tuesday.
Click here for a comprehensive TV schedule of the matches due to take place on Monday, September 23.
More on the event website at eurovolley.cev.eu, on EuroVolleyTV and on CEV’s social media...
German attack against a Dutch triple block
NED vs GER 1-3 (17-25, 22-25, 32-30, 23-25) in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
EuroVolley 2017 runners-up Germany qualified for the quarterfinals of EuroVolley 2019. In Apeldoorn, the team of coach Andrea Giani upset hosts the Netherlands in four sets. At the end of set three, the Dutch denied six German match points before winning it to extend the game to four. The home team’s opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz tallied 29 points, including three aces, to top the scorers’ charts. On the German side, opposite György Grozer scored 20 times, including four aces and one block.
Triumphant Uros Kovacevic
SRB vs CZE 3:0 (31-29, 25-21, 25-18) in Antwerp, Belgium
Surviving a nail-biting epilogue (five set points for the opponent) in set one, Serbia marched on to defeat Czech Republic in straight sets in the first of two Antwerp eighthfinals on Saturday. Czech Republic’s Donovan Dzavoronok was the best scorer of the match, on 18 points, including three aces. Uros Kovacevic scored 17 times for the winning side. Serbia’s Srecko Lisinac and Czech Republic’s Jan Hadrava tallied four aces apiece.
Russia’s Artem Volvich spikes over the Greek block
RUS vs GRE 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-16) in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Russia, playing without their captain Igor Kobzar and the usual starting outside spiker Victor Poletaev, easily cruised to another straight-set win, allowing Greece to score just 47 points in the whole match. Russia’s Dmitrii Volkov led the scorers with 18 points, including three stuff blocks and one ace.
France’s Stephen Boyer hits past the blocking arms of Finland’s Urpo Sivula
FRA vs FIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-21) in Nantes, France
In front of almost 7,300 cheering spectators on the stands, France easily defeated Finland in three sets despite being behind through most of the second. Stephen Boyer was the top scorer of the match, contributing 19 points to the victory, while Urpo Sivula put away 11 for Finland.
The Polish fans in the Netherlands celebrate another victory for their favourites
POL vs ESP 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-16) in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
With a fantastic crowd of 6,500 fans, most of whom supporting Poland, the reigning world champions delivered an emphatic shutout of Spain to deserve their rightful spot among the quarterfinalists of EuroVolley 2019. Wilfredo Leon himself delivered seven aces, three blocks and nine spikes at a 69% success rate to lead the scorers on a total of 19 points.
Ukraine triumph with the victory
BEL vs UKR 2-3 (22-25, 25-21, 25-14, 18-25, 10-15) in Antwerp, Belgium
Ukraine upset home favourites Belgium and a relentless crowd of 6,600 in Antwerp on Saturday, claiming a dramatic five-set victory to progress to Tuesday’s quarterfinal against Serbia. Ukraine’s Dmytro Viietskyi was the top scorer of the match on 23 points. Ian Iereshchenko added another 20, including four aces. Bram Van den Dries was Belgium’s most prolific player, with 19 points to his name.
Slovenian players celebrate during the match with Bulgaria
SLO vs BUL 3-1 (25-27, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17) in Ljubljana, Slovenia
A packed Stozice Arena witnessed Slovenia’s historic first win in official matches against Bulgaria. The home side failed to convert four set points before losing the first set, but then dominated the remainder of the match to celebrate with a spot in the quarterfinals. Klemen Cebulj topped the score chart with 17 points to his name. Martin Atanasov and Tsvetan Sokolov claimed 12 each for Bulgaria.
Italy’s Gabriele Nelli spikes into Turkey’s Baturalp Güngör’s head
ITA vs TUR 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-21) in Nantes, France
In a relatively uneventful match, deprived of any particular glamour, Italy dismissed Turkey in straight sets to claim the last available spot in the quarterfinals. Only the first set was relatively competitive. In the next two Italy were always in control of the scoreboard. Sub-in Gabriele Nelli contributed 14 points to the victory. Adis Lagumdzija, with 11 points, was Turkey’s top scorer of the match.