Luxembourg, August 22, 2018.  Round three commences today with all women's teams participating in the qualification round in action across Europe.  With four rounds in August and the final two in January next year, all teams will be keen to get some more points on the board, knowing that the top two from each pool will go through to the Final Round being held in Autumn next year across Turkey, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.  You can follow the matches via the live streams on Laola1.tv or through social media using the hashtag #EuroVolleyW.

Pool A

Belgium vs. Slovenia

• The Belgian team arrived only around midnight Monday evening from their match away to Israel and it seems there are no changes in the Belgian selection for their next matchup against Slovenia.
• The Arenahall in Deurne/Antwerpen is already sold out meaning an audience is expected of around 2,000 spectators.
• In the last official game between the two teams, the Yellow Tigers won a very close match in the FIVB World Championship qualifications last year in Rotterdam.
• Both teams have won 3-0 against Iceland and Israel, so the winner of Belgium - Slovenia (and the return on Saturday in Maribor) can virtually be qualified for the 2019 CEV European Championship.

Kaja Grobelna, current top scorer for Belgium: “If we can hold the same level as in the previous matches, we have a big chance to win with our strong service and a well balanced team.”

Alessandro Chiappini, head coach of Slovenia: “I was surprised by the motivation of the Yellow Tigers: they were fighting for every point, even as they were leading with 20 points against Iceland.”

Israel vs. Iceland

•    Both Israel and Iceland have lost two matches in a row this far.
•    Iceland, a country where Volleyball is not yet a mainstream sport, lost to Belgium and Slovenia in two extremely one-sided matches – but the very same experience happened to Israel when playing Belgium’s Yellow Tigers last Sunday.
•    Belgium and Slovenia are very likely to take the top two spots in the pool and with that, the coveted tickets to the #EuroVolleyW Finals. However, if they beat Iceland at home and away, Israel will keep at least some theoretical chances of progressing to the Final Round as well.
•    Israel will have to win next Sunday in Iceland and to surprise Slovenia in January 2019 as well, while the results of the upcoming matches between Slovenia and Belgium obviously count too.

Pool B

Croatia vs. Austria

•    Croatia have two wins in as many matches this far and they are living up to their status of pre-favourites in the pool.
•    Croatia’s Martina Samadan returns to the national team after a break due to injury.
•    Austria have a record of one win and one loss this far in the competition.

Switzerland vs. Albania

• Against Albania, the Swiss Women’s National Team is probably seen by many as the favourite.
• Croatia are certainly the strongest team in the pool. The game against Albania is therefore very important for both teams in order to fight for a place under the best two teams in the pool.
• In front of the home crowd, the young Swiss Women’s National Team is very motivated to play a good game and wants to show what they can do. All eyes will be on Switzerland captain Laura Kuenzler in this crucial third game. The 22-year-old opposite spiker is ranked 9th in the overall top scorer list of the 2019 CEV Volleyball European Championships Qualifiers with 33 points and is thrilled to lead her squad to another victory. Middle-blocker Gabi Schottroff, on the other hand, will definitely be one to watch at the net. The former Volero ZÜRICH rookie has earned her spurs on the international scene with numerous games in the CEV Volleyball Champions League in the last years and is the 7th best blocker of the 2019 CEV European Volleyball Championships Qualifiers with six blocks.
• After the very good first three sets against Croatia, the Team wants to repeat the performance against Albania to take some crucial points.
  

Timo Lippuner, head coach of the Swiss Women’s National Team: “Against Albania, we want to play as courageous as in the first three sets against the group favourite Croatia. If we manage to do that, we are optimistic to get the three points in front of our home crowd. Surely, our goal is two win both duels against Albania.”

Laura Kuenzler, captain of the Swiss Women’s National Team: “In front of the home crowd, we want to play a good game against Albania. I would say that we are the favourite and we will try everything to take the three points.”

Albania middle blocker Joana Kushi cannot wait to play in Schönenwerd. “We know that there are many Albanian-born people in Switzerland and that they will flock to Schönenwerd to support us. We want to make them proud. Switzerland are definitely a strong opponent and we have to give 100% in every rally. I think our team spirit is our biggest strength and will push ourselves to the limit.”

Pool C

Ukraine vs. Greece

Still to come...

Montenegro vs. Norway

•    Montenegro and Norway are playing each other for the very first time in history.
•    Both teams have recorded two losses in as many matches this far.
•    Greece and Ukraine lead the way in the pool with two wins in a row.

Andrea Lakovic, player of Montenegro: “After two tough games with very good opponents I still believe in my team and know that we can come back and make good results. We are not underestimating Norway at all. They are a solid team. We did the scouting and tactic part but what is more important is to focus on ourselves and what we have to do on our side of the court.”

Pool D

France vs. Georgia

•    The French team will play for the second time in Belfort in this qualification round.
•    France top the charts in Pool D with two wins in as many matches.
•    The still injured Isaline Sager Weider will play as second libero – even though she usually plays as middle blocker.
•    Georgia played their previous match on Saturday. They arrived in Belfort even before the hosts did and they had one extra day of rest.

Felix André, assistant coach of France: “This team progresses, everything is going well for the moment and we won’t stop there. We have said from the beginning to the players to play with humbleness and respect for the opponent. Georgia outplayed Denmark, so it is going to be a very interesting game.”

Emmanuel Fouchet, Team Manager of France: “The atmosphere is good at the moment in the team but we keep insisting on humility and fighting spirit and that we must have for the next matches. The road is still long and the players begin to feel the length and fatigue of the international season. Nevertheless, they are focused and want to work and this is what matters.”

Portugal vs. Denmark

•    Portugal have to win their upcoming matches with Denmark in Braga and Holte if they wish to have a shot at the top spot in the pool, where France lead the way with two wins in as many matches.
•    Denmark suffered a setback at home (1-3) in their last match with Georgia. With two losses this far, they know a victory against Portugal is necessary to stay in contention for a spot in the #EuroVolleyW Final Round.
•    Helena Elbæk is Denmark’s best scorer with 28 points this far followed by Mette Breuning Nielsen and Amalie Victoria Owie with 17 apiece.
•    Portugal’s best scorers are Barbara Gomes and Marta Hurst with 24 and 15 points, respectively.

Portugal’s coach Manuel Almeida knows that his team is well aware of the importance of this matchup: “After the negative result against France, this home match with Denmark is particularly important, both in terms of ranking and motivation. Therefore, the group is determined to perform on a high level from start to finish and to fight for this important win that may allow us to keep alive the dream of qualifying for the final phase of the European Championship.”

Pool E

Czech Republic vs. Estonia

• The second home match, and last for this year, for the Czech team will be held again in Jablonec nad Nisou.
• The Czechs lost their first two matches and need to win if they want to have any chance at qualifying for the European Championship Finals in 2019.
• The home crowd is expected to help their team reach the first victory in Pool E.
  

Barbora Purchartová, Captain of the Czech Republic: “We have to forget the first two matches and have to do everything to win against Estonia. Together with the help of our fans we will do our best.”

Zdeněk Pommer, Head Coach of the Czech Republic: “We have to play much better and be more concentrated on our performance than in the last matches. We will fight for the first victory, but we know it will be a very hard battle.”

Finland vs. Sweden

•    Both teams had a nice start to their European Championship campaign in away matches with Finland edging Estonia 3-2 and Sweden beating Czech Republic 3-2. Last weekend, Finland beat the Czech Republic 3-2 in Salo, but Sweden lost at home to Estonia 1-3.
•    Finland have played Sweden 91 times and are leading the way with 62 wins to 29 losses. The Finns have claimed the last 11 matches in a row with their neighbours.
•    Finland have played ten times in Helsinki before this match.
•    Pauliina Vilponen and Isabelle Haak are the best scorers for Finland and Sweden this far with 44 and 52 points, respectively. They are the two top scorers across the whole European Championship qualification. Laura Pihlajamäki of Finland is also leading the blocking statistics with nine blocks to her name.
•    One of best Finnish players ever, team captain Pauliina Vilponen plays her last match on home court as she will retire from competitive sport after these qualification matches.

Tapio Kangasniemi, head coach of Finland: “We started our previous games a little bit slowly, but after that we found our own level. Our goal on Wednesday is to start well from the beginning. The results have been so far good for us and we are in a good situation, but this is a completely new game. Sweden is a very interesting team and Isabelle Haak is a really good player.”

Saana Koljonen, libero of Finland: “We know we can play better than we did in our previous games. We just need to be more relaxed at the start of the match. We trust on that and we will do it. Of course we think about the qualification to the European Championship, but we always focus only on the next ball.”

Pool F

Romania vs. Latvia

Still to come...

Spain vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Spain is ready for a battle with the same goal: a place at #EuroVolleyW.  The next two matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina are key for the Leonas del Voley.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina lead Pool F of the European Championships Qualification after the two first legs with an impressive two wins.
• Spain made several mistakes against Romania and Pascual Saurin has worked hard these past few days to get more continuity in the performance of the home side this time. 
• Guadalajara, the European City of Sport 2018, reaffirms its commitment to Spanish Volleyball hosting for the third time an official match for “Las Leonas del Vóley”.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina want to break the Spanish streak against them as the last four matches have ended with Spaniard wins. This season had last matchup in the Mediterranean Games with a 3-0 for Spain.
  

Helia GONZÁLEZ, Player of Spain: “We need to learn how to compete. In the important moments we can't make mistakes, We must fight to the end. Bosnia is full of confidence after two wins and we have to be prepared for a tough and very difficult match.”

Alba SÁNCHEZ, Player of Spain: “The team faces this match with a lot of desire, and we are very prepared mentally. After the first two matches of qualification, we are improving small mistakes and we are ready for an intense match. We know Bosnia very well as we played them this year in the Mediterranean Games.  Always, these are very difficult matches but we know how to get the victory.”

Watch Spain take a big point over Romania in the last leg in this thrilling 40 second and 37 contact rally:

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