Luxembourg, June 2, 2018. CEV Silver European League Final Four hosts Sweden remain top of Pool A after their fourth victory in the League Round. After defeating Kosovo 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-7), Sweden are one victory and four points ahead of second-placed Estonia who have three victories and eight points so far. Estonia and Switzerland are yet to play their Leg 5 match. In Pool B second-placed Albania keep very close to leaders Austria. Both teams have now four victories each, after Albania tied this score with tonight's tie-breaker victory over Austria in Enns. 

Pool A

Sweden vs. Kosovo 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-7)

More details will follow soon...


Pool B

Austria vs. Albania 2-3 
(25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 11-15)

• Austria's volleyball ladies had to accept the first defeat in their fifth 2018 CEV Silver European League match, as they lost to Albania in five sets. During an away match back in May, Austria could prevail in three sets.
• Nevertheless, Austria lead in Pool B with 13 points, while Albania remain second with 11 points. The last match of the League Round will be played next Wednesday with Austria playing in Israel, while Albania will take on Georgia in Tirana.
• Katharina Holzer, Monika Chrtianska (18 points each) and Srna Markovic (16) were Austria´s top scorers. For Albania, Erblira Bici was the commanding player with 32 points.

Srna Markovic, player of Austria: “Looking at our team, you can tell that we are rather tired after these many trips. This was the reason why we could not perform our best. We have one day to relax until the match in Israel. If we want to win our group, we need this victory. Once we achieve that, we have the dream to win the Final Four, not just to be there.”

Svetlana Ilic, coach of Austria: “Overall, it was a good performance. But during the match we lost our concentration. In general, Albania are a well playing team, but we can stop them as we have shown in set one and two. In the fifth set we had our chances for a comeback, but Albania has read our game much better as they did in the first match. Now, we must revive very well for Israel. I am very confident that we can win again.”

Arjola Prenga, captain of Albania: “We are very happy about this win. We know that Austria has a very strong team. But after the home loss against them, it was very important for us to win today. I have to congratulate every single player of our team for today´s performance.”

Georgia vs. Israel 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-22)

•    After losing 1-3 in Israel, Georgia fought back with a 3-0 win at home.
•    Despite losing 3-0, the best scorer of the match was Polina Malik of Israel with 17 points. 

“After the return of Ann Kalandadze, the game became more interesting and much easier for us. We are very glad to have our first win in the European League, and especially happy that it happened here, in Georgia. We hope to continue our winning series in future games,” said Tinatin Tchautchidze, player of Georgia.