Belgrade, Serbia, September 24, 2011. World No. 11 Germany overpowered World No. 50 Ukraine in straight sets to open their 2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women campaign in pompous manner. Even when Ukraine did their best to push the West Europeans to their limits, Germany won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-17) in only 70 minutes.
Best scorer of today’s first match in Pool A was German Maren Brinker with 18 points, whilst Ukrainian Ganna Lisieienkova scored eleven points for her team. Germany will meet France in Sunday’s first match of Pool A, before host Serbia will face Ukraine for the second duel of the pool.
Germany, with the spectacular comeback of former captain Angelina Grün as outside hitter, started the first points in a solid matter as they controlled the game with impressive service work and more power in attack. Ukraine fired back with some remarkable block kills, but the West Europeans kept their pace. Grün placed a well-timed spike to offer Germany the first set 25-17.
The Germans kept things firmly under control in the second set. At the first technical break, the team of head coach Giovanni Guidetti already led by six points, while Ukraine still struggled with passing. Brinker moved the scoreboard forward to offer her teammates a first set point at 24-14. Two rallies later, it was Corina Ssuschke-Voigt who concluded a quick combination with a clever tip to give Germany a comfortable 2-0 set lead.
Margareta Kozuch hammered Germany to a 14-11 lead in the third set. Ukraine improved their defense strategy and came closer at 15-16. However, at 15-20 Ukrainian coach Volodymyr Buzaiev had to call his second timeout as Germany had scored four points in a row. But it was already too late as some rallies later Kathleen Weiss served Germany to their first win in their first match at EuroVolley 2011.
Ukraine captain Iryna Komisarova: “The German team played well. They are a well organized and well prepared team. My teammates and I hope we will do better in the next matches. We hope for the best and we will give our best.”
Germany captain Margareta Anna Kozuch: “We needed to concentrate at the beginning of the match, and we did it. I am very happy. We will try to keep up with the good game.”
Ukraine head coach Volodymyr Buzaiev: “Germany deserved to win and celebrate their victory. Their team is together for a long time, whereas our team gathered a week ago. The girls didn’t really have time to get to know each other and practice enough. However, we will try to give our best in the following matches.”
Germany head coach Giovanni Guidetti: “Our team was very focused; it played aggressively, and showed great discipline. I am very satisfied. We will try to continue the exquisite game of today and hope it will pay off in the future.”