Luxembourg, January 11, 2020. Estonia claimed a spot in the 2nd Round of the 2020 Men's U20 European Championship after scoring their second win in as many matches Saturday evening in 1st Round action, while the situtation still remains theoretically unresolved in the sole 1st Round pool of the 2020 Women's U19 European Championship.
Men's U20
Croatia clinched second place in Pool 1 after beating hosts Austria 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14) in Steinbrunn.
The home side blew a 23-20 lead in the first set, as Croatia made a four-point run to reach set point first at 24-23 and then finished it off on their second attempt. All Austria could do was equalise at 1-1, before Croatia took full of control of the game to bring it home in four.
Gabrijel Cvanciger scored a match high 24 points to power Croatia; Daniel Morgunov was again Austria's best scorer on 17.
The result leaves Croatia waiting to see if they fare any better in the final standings than the second-ranked team of Pool 2 which doesn't wrap until Sunday. Cyprus had already qualified from Pool 1 since Friday.
Estonia, meanwhile, came from a set down to beat Switzerland 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-16) and claim the Pool 2 direct ticket to the 2nd Round where they join Italy, Ukraine and Bulgaria in Pool B.
This leaves Switzerland and Kosovo to fight it out for second place in Pool 2 on Sunday.
Marx Aru was Estonia's best scorer on 14 points, but the match high of 18 came from Switzerland's Alexander Lengweiler. Aru and Sander Palang combined to score 11 blocks for Estonia.
Montenegro's Marija Tusevljak tries to tip the ball over the block of Israel's Shirel Ganah and Amit Kimel Saturday evening in Herceg Novi.
Women's U19
Hosts of the only 1st Round Women's U19 pool Montenegro remain undefeated after two matches, with a sweep this time of Israel 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-20). But the Balkan side are not quite there yet, as a three-way tie at the top of the pool's final standings is still theoretically on the cards at Herceg Novi.
Ema Uskokovic with 15 points and Majda Cakar with 14 were Montenegro's driving forces - opposite Tali Hakas scored 12 points for Israel.
Earlier in the afternoon at Herceg Novi, Sweden had downed Kosovo 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-22), led by Paulina Lindberg who registered a match-high 14 points. Amela Llugaliu was Kosovo's top scorer on 11.
The top two teams from the pool advance to the 2nd Round of the competition.
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MU20: Croatia vs Austria 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14)
"Against Cyprus we lost tight sets and the goal for today was to do better in the decisive moments of the game. It is a shame, that we gave away a 23-20 lead in the first set. After winning the second set, I thought we were back on track, but it went the other way."
Roland Schwab, Austria head coach
MU20: Estonia vs Switzerland 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-16)
WU19: Sweden v vs Kosovo 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-22)
"We worked hard in defence. I feel we played very well. We took the chances that we got and I think we made a really good job."
Paulina Lindberg. Sweden opposite
"It's a great experience for us. We tried to do our best. Every match here for the national team of Kosovo is very exciting but this was deciding."
Amela Llugaliu, Kosovo middle blocker
WU19: Israel vs Montenegro 0-3 (20-25, 16-25, 20-25)
"After losing today 3-0, we need to stay calm for tomorrow's game with Kosovo. If we can be a little more focused, we can win tomorow."
Rome Mika, Israel setter
"I would like to congratulate my players on the win for their team spirit and hard work. We played very well, pressuring our opponents to make errors."
Ema Uskokovic, Montenegro outside hitter