Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, September 11, 2011. Portugal is certainly a side you have to take very seriously and Russia – the absolute pre-favorite of this European Championship – learnt this lesson as well this afternoon in Karlovy Vary.

Russia started the game by lining-up all of its stars and with the help of Biryukov immediately claimed a massive 7:1 break in the opening set. The Russian blocks looked like a kind of wall that the Portuguese players were not able to find a way through; Russia’s performance was absolutely terrific and a real delight for quite many Volleyball fans that had got together at the “KV Arena”; the winners of this year’s FIVB World League could afford the waste of four set balls but still finished it with an impressive 25-15.

However, Portugal did not surrender that easily and after drawing level at 15, the guys mentored by Juan Diaz stormed out to set the pace at 23:18 in set 2. Russia mobilized all strengths in blocking and started spiking with more accuracy but could not avert the final 25-23 for Portugal.

Portugal was having some fun and used every single opportunity to test out the Russian reaction; Flavio Rodolfo Cruz and Valdir Sequeira did even trick the Russian block but after changing the starting six, Russia clawed back vigorously to score the final 25-22.

Portugal was completely knocked down in set 4 by the strong services of Maxim Mikhailov and Nikolay Apalikov, and Russia closed the match with a very symbolic block.

Portuguese captain Joao Miguel José commented: “In today’s game we didn’t get too many chances. In the second set they started losing grip and making mistakes so we were able to pressure our opponents. We fulfilled our goal to perform well. Now we must think about tomorrow’s game with Estonia that we have to win to qualify for the next round”.

His mentor Juan Diaz added: “Russia was very strong today. In the final part our game went away, we lost our stability and it became the kind of match Russia can only rule”.

Taras Khtey, Russia’s captain: “Portugal was as strong today as it was yesterday against the Czech Republic. I am glad we have pulled ourselves together after losing the second set and that we finally won”.

Russian coach Vladimir Alekno confirmed: “We have been preparing for a difficult match and a difficult opponent. Portugal gave us no right to make any mistake. We made an important step towards to the qualification for the next round”.