Luxembourg, May 30, 2018.  The teams of Latvia and Croatia extended their 2018 CEV Volleyball Silver European League - Men winning streaks to the fourth leg of pool play. With Latvia shutting out Kosovo and Croatia winning at Hungary in straight sets, the two unbeaten teams lead the current standings in Pools A and B, respectively.


POOL A

Kosovo vs. Latvia 0-3 (21-25, 9-25, 20-25)

•    Latvia won their second matchup with Kosovo in the Silver European League, beating the home team in Prishtine in straight sets.
•    The Latvians started the game without their captain Ruslans Sorokins.
•    Kosovo put pressure on Latvia, especially in the first and third sets, thus taking 21 and 20 points, respectively.
•    This was the first time in history a Latvian team paid a visit to Kosovo. The hosting team brought a CEV European League match to Prishtine for the first time in history.



Faton Mustafa, assistant coach of Kosovo: "It was a great night for Kosovo as we showed progress in our performance against the same opponent we lost to with a high margin on Saturday. For me this was the last night to work with the National team as now I will help players as an assistant coach to pursue a brighter future."
 
Skender Lajqi, captain of Kosovo: "It was a special night as we played the last game in front of our fans. In our debut in the European League, Kosovo showed its potential, even though we were counting only on players who play in our National League."

Avo Keel, coach of Latvia: "It’s too early too say if we will go forward as the leader of the group, but this victory had a high importance for us. We are moving now onto another two important games and I hope my guys will be more focused and give more from themselves during the next matches."
 
Romans Sauss, player of Latvia: "We are happy about this victory, and we are looking now forward to the next matches. Right now we are not thinking about the Final Four, as we are trying to be focused on each step."

Austria vs. FYR of Macedonia 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20)

•    After winning in an away game last Sunday, Austria defeated FYR of Macedonia on Wednesday again. The home team came out on top 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-20) and kept alive its chance to qualify for the 2018 CEV Silver European League Final.
•    Altogether, it was a thrilling match with spectacular rallies that excited to the crowd. But on Saturday, it is a must win game. In the Sporthalle Enns, Austria will host Kosovo.
•    For Austria: Paul Buchegger (25 points), Alex Berger (20) and Thomas Tröthann (13) were the top scorers.
•    Nikola Gjorgiev (17), Vlado Milev (12), and Aleksandar Ljaftov (12) scored the most for FYR of Macedonia.



Michael Warm, coach of Austria: "I feel very good with this win today. The volleyball we played made my day. That kind of focused play, especially in close situations, is marvelous. The team has grown up. But if we want to enter the Final Four, we need the same support as we had today. Versus Kosovo, we must do our job. Anything else cannot influence us in anyway."

Paul Buchegger, player of Austria: "We performed with such an energy and emotion today. After a short phase of weakness, we found a way back to our game plan. The arena was packed out, the support was the key to victory today. The Macedonian play is characterized by emotion, but with this crowd we could put up resistance."

Ljubomir Travica, coach of FYR of Macedonia: "Let me tell you first, this was the right place to play with a good atmosphere. Today, we did a better job than in Macedonia [versus Austria]. But there are moments that can tilt a game. In the end, we failed because of our own mistakes, especially in service and offense. But I hope we learn and do much better versus Latvia."


POOL B

Hungary vs. Croatia 0-3 (17-25, 19-25, 18-25)

•    Team Hungary played for the first time in Kazincbarcika, home to the reigning national champions Vegyész RC.
•    Hungary began the first set well, but Croatia equalised soon, and after 10-10 dominated the set. The visitors eventually won 25-17.
•    Hungary scored the first point of the second set, but this was the only time when the home team was ahead: Croatia led 8-5, and although Hungary equalized at 14-14, the visitors took a 20-17 lead and won the set 25-19.
•    The Croatian team dominated the third set, Hungary never had the lead: the visiting team was ahead after a brief tie at 10-10 and closed the match with a 25-18 victory.
•    Best player of the match: Fran Peterlin (Croatia)
•    Best scorers: Krisztián Pádár (Hungary) with nine points for the hosts, Leo Andrić (Croatia) with 13 points for the visitors.
•    Croatia have won all their four matches so far and top the group, while Hungary have four defeats, with only one set won.



Bogdan Tanase, coach of Hungary: "Our team did not have enough power tonight. We play matches every three days, which is simply too much for this young team. The Croatians were more disciplined and precise."

Leo Andrić, player of Croatia: "The Hungarian team made too many mistakes that helped us win the match. We are at the end of a long season, it’s not easy to play well, but we like the European League and we try to do our best."

Albania vs. Belarus 0-3 (17-25, 22-25, 14-25)

•    It was the first home game for Albania in this edition of the European League.
•    Two Albanian players Anton Qafarena and Gazmend Husaj scored 11 points each, but it was not enough to win with Belarus.
•    Radzivon Miskevich (BLR) earned 11 points during this match as well.
•    Belarus won both games against Albania in straight sets.



Jovan Melkas, coach of Albania: "We expected something different from this game, but we did not reach what wanted and we did not get what we were targeting. Belarus deserved the victory, they played better than us, while we were a bit uptight. This is a new team, we have changed four players in comparison to last year, so we still have to work to win the next game on home court, in front of our fans."

Viktar Beksha, coach of Belarus: "It was not an easy game for us, because we played against a good team. I think we neutralized the best Albanian players and then it was much easier for us. Now we have to keep fighting, because we are not qualified yet. We will try to get the top position in the group."


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