Russia pass in four sets winning against the Netherlands 26-24, 24-26,25-15, 25-22 on the last qualification day of the Preliminary Pool D in Busto Arsizio (Va), Italy, and qualify, as first classified for the quarterfinals that will be held in Monza starting on Tuesday September 27, 2011.
Russia now awaits the result of the other matches to know who will be their opponents.
The match unfolded in front of a full stadium, including a very special spectator, the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Mr.Carlo Magri.
The beginning of the first set immediately showed the great will of both teams to fight for the qualification, and after spectacular winning spikes signed by Ekatrina Gamova for Russia and Maret Grouthes for the Netherlands it was 5-5. The first technical time out saw Russia ahead 8-7 after a point realized by middle blocker Maria Perepelkina who placed another winner to push her team forward. However, the Dutch squad bounced back bravely to turn tables at 20-17. Russia was not ready to surrender and Perepelkina signed another kill to make it 20-21. Chaine Staelens brought up set point for the Netherlands at 24-22. But the Dutch game was not good enough. Gamova led her team to 26-24 with some marvelous winners through the Netherland's block.
The Dutch were still confused in the beginning of the second set. Powerhouse Russia led 8-4 at the first technical timeout. Russia’s power was impressive, while the Netherlands struggled at 6-11. The team of head coach Avital Selinger seemed to regain control of their actions and came closer at 18-21. Two incredible aces by captain Manon Flies then leveled the game at 23-23. A spectacular attack and a block kill eventually helped the Dutch to close set No. 2 out, 25-23.
However, world champions Russia didn't let lose in the third and fourth set. The Russian power proved too strong for the Dutch ladies, even when they did their best to push the East Europeans to their limits. After 109 minutes, Russia closed the match out, 3-1, to book their ticket for the quarterfinals.
Russia coach VladimirKuzyutkin: “We deserved to win. The key of the victory was our limited number of errors, a lot less than the ones we did in the previous match. We remained concentrated throughout the match. I am really proud of what my team achieved today.”
Russia captain Maria Borisenko: “ We deserved to win, we showed a high quality match using very well both the blocks as well as the defence.”
The Netherlands coach Avital Selinger: “Congratulations to Russia, they deserved to win today, they played really very well. Both teams defended really well, the difference was the opponent’s block. We were not able to stop Gamova and Gonchareva. Our European championship was not decided today. I am proud of my players, how the fought and we will continue to fight also during the next matches."
The Netherlands captain Manon Flier: “First of all I wish to congratulate the Russian players. They worked very well with blocking, but we were very determined to return into the match in the second set. Also in the fourth set we had our chances put we did not find the right key. We must learn from this defeat.”