Tampere, Finland, August 16, 2014. Belgium, Russia as well as Slovenia experienced a powerful start into the 2014 CEV U19 Volleyball European Championship – Women. Belgium proved too strong for Italy (26-24, 16-25, 10-25, 25-16, 15-13) while Slovenia outclassed titleholder Turkey in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-18). Russia overcame host Finland 3:0 (28-26, 25-22, 25-13) as well.
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Italy vs Belgium 2:3 (24-26, 25-15, 25-10, 16-25, 13-15)
Belgium and Italy fought a thrilling five-setter in the opening match of the 2014 CEV U19 Volleyball European Championship – Women in Tampere. The match turned to the strong fighting Belgians in the last set (26-24, 16-25, 10-25, 25-16, 15-13). Belgium showed their power especially with powerful serves (14 aces) and a solid reception and defense.
Belgian opposite player Karolina Goliat was very efficient in the beginning of the match, scoring ten points in the first set. Later on, the Italian block managed to stop her more often. However, she still scored 16 points overall. Middle blocker Sarah Cools proved her strength with fast balls and was Belgium’s best scorer with a total of 18 points. She also kept cool in the hottest moment of the match as she scored the match point for the team of head coach Julien Van de Vyver.
Italian wing spikers Anastasia Guerra and Sofia D’Odorico made a good job for the Azzurrine with 20 points each.
Belgium coach Julien Van de Vyver: “It was great to start the tournament by beating Italy, which is always difficult to win. Mentally, it was a hard match. We controlled the first set with good serves and in the fourth set we regained momentum with our defence, block and serve.”
Italy coach Davide Mazzanti: “We played a good match. Only in the fourth set we didn’t play our best volleyball. We made too many mistakes. In the fifth set Belgium played very well in attack and service. This was a lesson for us.”
Finland v Russia 0:3 (26-28, 22-25, 13-25)
Host Finland showed great fighting spirit against their neighbor from Russia but eventually could not take advantage of it. The Russian powerhouse finally proved too strong in the decisive moments of the match, celebrating a straight-set win (28-26, 25-22, 25-13) in Saturday’s second Pool II duel. 500 thrilled spectators cheered for the home team.
Angelina Sperskaite was the leading scorer for Russia with 11 points. In the Finnish team, 15-year old wing spiker Ronja Heikkiniemi scored 15 points while opposite Pia Korhonen contributed 14 points for her team.
The first set was a real volleyball thriller with both sides playing high class volleyball. Finland had a set ball at 26-25 but Russia fought back to win the exciting opening set 28-26.
The second set was again quite even. The score was still tied at 20-20 before Russia increased their speed and power to take a hard-fought 2:0 set lead.
Russia kept the upper hand in the third set and gave Finland no chance to challenge them again. Russia won the set easily 25-13.
Russia head coach Petr Kobrin: “It was difficult to play against a highly motivated home team. It was our first match and we were a little bit nervous. When we stay relaxed, it is easy to play. Finland’s good level was not a surprise for me. We knew about Finland’s strength.”
Finland head coach Aapo Rantanen: “We fought bravely during two sets. This was not a bad start for us, but of course I am very disappointed that we lost. It was important for the girls to see that we can play well, even against top teams. We spiked well from the wings, but could not copy the same work in the middle.”
Turkey v Slovenia 0:3 (19-25, 22-25, 18-25)
Slovenia created the first big surprise of the tournament by outclassing titleholder Turkey in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-18). The team of head coach Joze Casar controlled mainly the first and third set as desired.
Slovenian opposite Nika Markovic was the best scorer of the match with 14 points. Lana Scuka scored 11 points. Setter Eva Mori was one of the key figures of the strong Slovenian team bringing up excellent attack combinations. The best scorers for Turkey were Pelin Aroguz and Yagmur Mislina Kilic with 12 kills each.
The first set was tied until 14-14 before Slovenia gradually increased their speed to take it by 25-19. Slovenia showed much more power at the net.
Turkey started their engines early in the second period to take a well-deserved 18-11 lead. However, the young Slovenians never gave up and progressively stormed to a 25-22 set win.
Slovenia kept momentum in the third set and never looked back (25-18).
Slovenia head coach Joze Casar: “We controlled the match from the start to end. My players served well. Our passing was not that good at the beginning, but it got better during the game. We set up good attacks and dominated block and defence as well. Everything went well today.”
Two weeks before the men’s U20 national teams will battle for medals in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Estonia and Finland are in the spot light for the prominent CEV event at Tartu’s A. Le Coq Sports Hall that hosts Pool I and Tampere’s Exhibition and Sports Centre featuring Pool II. The classic powers Italy, Serbia, and Turkey might be the favorites for the crown of the prestigious CEV under 19 age category competition. However, a serious prediction in this age group is difficult. Small details can make a difference.
A total of 38 matches are played during the tournament, running from August 16-24, 2014.
All matches to be played in Tartu are streamed live and for free at LAOLA1.tv.
Picture: Today, the Belgian block proved too strong for the Italian attackers.
Click here for more info on the Final Round of the 2014 CEV U19 Volleyball European Championship – Women.