24/09/2011 20:21
Astounding Gamova leads Russia to second victory
2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship - Women
Busto Arsizio, Italy, September 24, 2011 - Russia outlasted the strenuous resistance of Spain with the score of 3-1 (32-30, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22). The protagonists of the match were the two opposites, Ekaterina Gamova for Russia, scoring 31 points, and Milagros Collar for Spain, scoring 27. Between Spain's supporters was also the President of the Spanish Volleyball Federation, Mister Augustin Martin Santos.
Spain began the match with determination and forcing the service, which gave a few problems for the Russian receivers (two aces). Then Ekaterina Gamova entered the court and led Russia 8-7 ahead at the first technical timeout. After the break Spain still fought bravely thanks to their service and a good performance of Milagros Collar. Both teams battled fiercely with Russia leading 16-14 at the second technical break. Then Russia used a run of 6-1 until 22-15, due to Spain’s problem with defence and counter attack. However, the Iberians bounced back at 22-19 (timeout Russia) and tied the score at 23-23 thanks to Collar’s spikes and an ace. Collar again led Spain through an incredible and thrilling ending of set, in which Spain was able to gain 6 set points, but lacked of experience and calm to win the game. On the other side Russia had only one set point but converted on it immediately, winning the first set 32-30.
Spain came back on the court without thinking about the lost chances of the previous set and fought with determination reaching the first technical timeout 8-7 ahead. The incredible momentum of Spain continued until the second technical timeout, 16-11. Two service winners of middle-blocker Amaranta Fernandez opened the gap to six points at 19-13. The Russian timeout came too late with a winner at the net of 16-year young Jessica Rivero and Spain deservedly closed the set out 25-19.
Russia needed a better start into the third set but again it was the strong Spanish service that caused several problems to the Russian receivers. Spain went into the first technical timeout leading 8-4, with a dump of the inspired setter Patricia Aranda. The break was useful and Russia regained concentration while Spain showed signs of tiredness and gave Russia an advantage of three points with three unforced errors. Gamova brought Russia to the second technical timeout leading 16-13. Russia gradually increased the gap with Nataliya Goncharova, while on the other side of the net only Collar tried to bounce back, but Russia never looked back.
Spain started also well in the fourth set but an ace and a strong service of Goncharova led Russia to the first technical timeout, 8-7. The central aspect of the game was still Spain versus Gamova, with the unstoppable Russian opposite scoring 5 consecutive points (31 at the end of the match), bringing Russia to the second technical timeout 16-15 ahead. The one point gap remained until Iuliia Morozova’s block at 20-17 which gave Russia a three point advantage that led the game to an end, with Russia defeating the strenuous resistance of Spain, 25-22.
Spain Captain Amaranta Fernandez: “Congratulations to the Russian team. Today we played very well, we had positive sensations also during this morning’s training. Undoubtedly today I’m happier than yesterday, tomorrow’s match will be fundamental, we are ready.”
Russia captain Maria Borisenko: “Spain played very well but we made too many unforced errors and tomorrow we necessarily need to play better.”
Spain Coach Gido Vermeulen: “We needed to react. We were conscious that we could play better than on Friday. We played excellently, especially at the net and we can even play in a more steady way but we need more experience.”
Russia Coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin: “We don’t have many regrets for the lost set but we need to be more concentrated during the match. We managed to recover, also mentally, towards the end of the game. We have many very young players, they can still improve.”
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