Zrenjanin, Serbia, September 26, 2011 – Czech Republic outclassed Israel, booking an easy 3-0 win (25-11, 25-18, 25-16) in the fifth match of Pool C at the 2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women after in Zrenjanin Crystal Hall.
Aneta Havlickova, top scorer with 19 points, was the leading force for Czech Republic. Anna Velikiy with 12 points and Tatiana Artmenko with 10 points tried her best for Israel. The match was attended by H.E. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Israel in Serbia, Josef Levi.
From the beginning of the first set, Czech Republic justified the role of favorites in the match against Israel. The selected team of Jiri Siller already had a four-point lead at the first technical timeout, which was enlarged point per point until 25-11 and a well-deserved 1-0 set lead.
The second set brought a slightly different situation as Israel fought bravely until the first mandatory stop, with only 8-7 for the Czechs. As the set continued, the Czech team raised the pressure, earning a five-point advantage at the second technical timeout. There was no way for Israel to stop the talented Czech spikers. As a consequence, the Czech never looked back until 25-18.
The match was over as a contest now with the Czech Republic booking an undisputed 3-0 win.
Czech Republic head coach Jiri Siller: “We are more than satisfied with this victory, the second one in Pool C; it means a lot to us and our fans. We played very well; I’m happy with what we’ve showed today.”
Czech Republic captain Ivana Plchotova: “I’m very happy with this victory. We are now waiting for the result of the match Ukraine versus France. I think we can beat both of them.”
Israel head coach Arie Selinger: “We played against the Czechs before, we lost a few times, but the level of our performance was better than now, and I don’t know the reason – maybe cause of the excitement, maybe the pressure. I can only say we are disappointed, we didn’t perform at our best, and I hope we will come back one day.”
Israel captain Tatiana Frage-Gerber: “Congratulations to the Czech team. I wish them to continue playing well in the next rounds of the championship. I’m sad for this lost, but we still are a very young team, we have a lot to learn, so I’m looking forward to the next championship.”