18/06/2019 23:00
Romania rout Cyprus to challenge Slovenia in Silver #EuroLeagueW finals
CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2019
Nicosia, Cyprus, June 18, 2019. On Tuesday night, Romania sealed their spot in the finals of the CEV Women’s Volleyball European Silver League 2019 after routing Cyprus 3-0 (25-15, 25-11, 27-25) to improve their win-loss record in Pool A to 5-1, leapfrog Israel at the top of the charts and challenge Slovenia in the deciding stage of the competition later this month. The eventual winners of the Silver League will secure promotion to the Golden division in 2020.
Cyprus played with much enthusiasm and energy to claim an early 2-0 lead in the first set but the hosts soon struggled in service reception to trail 5-9. Romania extended their lead to 13-7 courtesy of many Cypriot mistakes and eventually cashed the opening set 25-15 after 20 minutes only. The course of the game did not change in the second set where Romania broke away to 10-4 and 21-10 to double their lead in the match (25-11) after 18 minutes only.
Cyprus put up much more of a fight in the third set where the blocks by Andrea Charalambous and Georgia Stavrinides paved the way to an 11-9 lead for the home side. However, Romania knew they had to win to qualify for the finals and fought back to edge ahead at 13-11. Cyprus turned the tables around again at 22-18 but Romania eventually prevailed at 27-25 to seal a much-needed 3-0 win.
Romania emulate their compatriots who have qualified for the men’s final of the Silver League where they will play Greece.
“The last set of this match was very difficult for us because Cyprus played without any pressure, whilst we needed a victory to qualify for the finals,” said Romania head coach Luciano Pedullà. “We will now focus on the final with Slovenia and prepare the best we can, because winning the Silver League is very important for us.”
“The most important thing for us was to cope with a marathon programme including 11 matches in less than a month,” commented Cyprus head coach Ioannis Nikolakis. “I think we did it nicely. I am pleased with the silver medal we took from the Games of the Small States of Europe in Montenegro and with the two Silver League wins in our matches with Georgia as well. Bravo to my players who have responded well and executed well too. We can now move forward and think about the next goals. We are now empty physically and psychologically. The players must rest since they deserve it, prepare to compete for their teams in the club season and be ready to return to play for the national team next year.”
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