Kladovo, Serbia, April 3, 2013. Germany managed the impossible by beating Serbia 3:2 to finish third in Pool II of the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls in Kladovo, Serbia. Earlier today, Russia secured their top eight ticket with a 3:1 win over France. The Netherlands and France have to pack their bags and go home.
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France vs. Russia 1:3 (25-20, 17-25, 15-25, 19-25)
Russia downed France 3:1 on Wednesday afternoon to book a ticket for the top eight round at the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls.
Russia`s Angelina Sperskayte topped the score chart with 18 points, including 5 aces.
Even though the French had nothing to play for in their last Pool II match except for glory, they gave Russia a hard time, especially at the start of today’s first match in Kladovo. Russia jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first set but France quickly found their rhythm with excellent attacks and four blocks. Juliette Fidon helped her side to wrap up the first set 25-20.
Russia managed to make adjustments and organize their play after the three-minute break. They succeeded to contain the French offense with only Lara Davidovic and Fidon making occasional attacks on the wings. Taisia Konovalova stepped up for Russia and contributed several inspiring serves to maintain the Russian lead.
Svetlana Serbina helped her side with another couple of blistering serves to rally to a 6-0 early in the third set. France had no answers in the third and fourth set as Anastasia Lopatina and Angelina Sperskayte both scored double figures, going on a scoring rampage at the expense of a suffering French defense. Russia only allowed a few attacking maneuvers by the young French talents as they covered all attacking points at the net and on the floor and quite easily took the match.
Russia head coach Yury Shchuplov: “We did our job today, that’s it. However, it’s a shame that we haven`t played before like we did today.”
France head coach Serge Marouteau: “We mainly made it too easy for our opponents. We gave Russia several chances to score, while on our side we committed too many mistakes.”
The Netherlands vs. Turkey 0:3 (17-25, 23-25, 15-25)
Turkey subdued a quite harmless Dutch team in straight sets in their last Pool match of the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls. The Turks keep a clean sheet with a 5-0 win-loss record.
Ada Germen and Pelin Aroguz topped all scorers with nine points each for Turkey as they concluded their perfect record in Kladovo on Wednesday night.
Turkey took an easy first set against their West European rivals as they unleashed their usual game, not allowing The Netherlands to counter attack.
Despite the tandem of Tessa Polder and Daphne Knijff confusing the Turkish blockers on their attack in the second set - alternating hitting on each side - Turkey adjusted their block to stamp out the Dutch tactic. Turkey’s attackers took the opportunity to turn the tables at 16-16 and never looked back.
Turkey were wary of another Dutch uprising in the third set and although there were several attempts by The Netherlands to extend rallies, Turkey made sure that they always came out on top, leaving the faith of the Dutch team in the hands of host Serbia and Germany.
Turkey Head Coach Catma Sahin: “It was important to win today and go to the final phase in Bar with a clean sheet. Now, we’ll focus on the semifinals to continue our winning streak.”
The Netherlands head coach Saskia van Hintum: ““Today we played against a very good team and it is not a shame to lose. However, we prepared well for this match and I feel that we could have done more.”
Germany vs. Serbia 3:2 (25-18, 25-12, 24-26, 25-27, 15-7)
Germany edged hosts Serbia 3:2 in Wednesday’s last match of the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls to finish third in Pool II. As a consequence, the Netherlands have to pack their bags and go home.
Julia Schäfer was the game’s top scorer with 17 points, while Maja Dordevic earned 16 points for Serbia.
Germany jumped out very determined, ready to fight heroically for their last chance for a top eight ticket. On the other side, Serbia’s head coach Marijana Boricic gave some players a rest. The very young Serbian “reserve” players did their best but were unable to prevent an easy 2:0 set lead for Germany.
In spite of an eight-point German lead in the third set, Serbia came back from behind to delight the home crowd with some spectacular volleyball. Serbia gained momentum and didn’t look back until the end of the fourth set.
Serbia continued their impressive comeback from the third and fourth set and quickly led 5-3 in the deciding set. Germany – however – was not in the mood to let loose. The upcoming German talents responded with a 12-2 run to conclude the hard-fought duel in their favor.
Germany head coach Jens Tietböhl: "It was a fortunate situation for us to play our last match with the Serbian team who was already qualified for the semis. We seized our chance, that’s the only thing what counts tonight.”
Serbia head Coach Marijana Boricic: "I’m very happy to have made it to the semifinals. It secures us a ticket for the FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship coming up later this summer in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.”
The Preliminary Phase of the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls is split into two pools of six teams with the top two from each pool advancing to the semifinals. Pool I comprises host Montenegro, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, the Czech Republic as well as Poland. Pool II sees the local heroines from Serbia defending their reputations versus Russia, Germany, France, Turkey and the Netherlands.
The final ranking of the 2013 CEV Youth Volleyball European Championship – Girls will determine the six teams representing Europe at this year’s FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship coming up later this summer in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, as well as the eight nations taking part at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Utrecht (NED).
The matches of preliminary Pool I as well as all semi-final and final matches are available live and for free at http://www.laola1.tv.
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