Rotterdam, Netherlands, September 26, 2015. The quest for glory in the 2015 CEV DELA Volleyball European Championship – Women started in the venue of Rotterdam with a powerful debut by the defending champions. The Russian team beat Bulgaria in three sets (25-6, 25-14, 27-25) and demonstrated their condition of favourites for the title. In the second match of the day, Belarus presented their candidacy to playing the role of underdogs in the tournament, achieving a compelling victory in three sets over Croatia (25-19, 25-18, 26-24).
Bulgaria vs Russia 0:3 (6-25, 14-25, 25-27)
Russia successfully opened their 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women campaign in the Netherlands. The team directed by Yuriy Marichev beat Bulgaria in straight sets (25-6, 25-14, 27-25) and clinched their first win of this tournament.
The number four team of the world ranking, Russia jumped out for a quick 5-1 lead in the first five minutes of the match, thus going into the first technical time-out with a 8:2 lead. Russia kept the upper hand in the first set and created a 12-point gap (16:4) with dominant net play. Bulgarian head coach Dragan Nesic called his ladies off the court, but the attempt did not improve their performance in the set. A nice serve by Alexandra Pasynkova ended the first period 25-6.
In the second set Bulgaria started more aggressively but it was the Russian team who kept their focus as Nataliia Obmochaeva smashed for an 8:4 lead. Bulgaria fought their way back into the game but could not prevent the title holders from keeping a 16:10 lead at the second technical time out. Russia dominated this phase of the game and grabbed the set at 25-14.
Bulgaria could not overcome the strong Russian block and was forced to drop behind in the beginning of the third set (6:1). The Russian ladies continued to lead the way towards an apparent easy victory but Bulgaria managed to close the gap and even tied the score in the crucial phase of the set (24:24). At the end of the period, it was the Russian ladies who scored the important points and cruised to a straight set victory (27-25).
“We played very focussed against Bulgaria. Now we have to forget about this match and start focussing on the next game”, declared the coach of Russia, Yuriy Marichev.
“Congratulations to Russia. They played at a high level and presented a great blocking system. We now focus on tomorrow’s match against Croatia,” stated Bulgarian coach Dragan Nesic.
Croatia vs Belarus 0:3 (19-25, 18-25, 24-26)
Belarus booked their first win in the 2015 CEV DELA Volleyball European Championship - Women by defeating Croatia in straight sets in the second match of the day in Rotterdam.
Croatia had difficulties getting into the game and Belarus quickly led 3:0 in the first set. At the first technical time out Belarus had an 8:7 advantage. A strong serve by Ivana Milos put a 2-point lead (10:8) on the scoreboard for Croatia but Belarus tied the score at 10:10 and then scored three points in a row to move the charts up to 13:10 in their favour. Belarus managed to get important points in the crucial phase of the set and grabbed the period 25-19.
In the second set, the team directed by coach Piotr Khilko took an early lead (5:2). Both teams put a lot of pressure on the opponents but it was Belarus who took a commanding 13:5 advantage. Croatia did their best to bounce back (11:14) but could not prevent Belarus from pulling through. A sharp pass at the net of Croatia blocked by Hanna Kalinouskaya-Guengoer ended the set (25-18).
Belarus was determined to finish the job in the third set and succeeded in doing so. In the middle of the period the teams tied the score over and over again. Croatia kept calm and even created two set points but could not finish it off. A block by Belarus represented the final 26-24 and sealed their convincing 3:0 win.
“It's hard to lose 3:0; congratulations to Belarus. We played as individuals, tomorrow we need to play as a team,” commented the coach of Croatia Angelo Vercesi, while Croatia captain Maja Poljak said: “I'm disappointed that we did not play as a team, now we have to focus on tomorrow's match.”
“It was our first game and we played a bit nervous, but we won and that’s important,” stated the coach of Belarus Petr Khilko. The team captain Aksana Kavalchuk added: “It is great that we won our first match, we are happy with the support of our fans in Rotterdam.”
For more information on the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship - Women visit eurovolley2015.eu or click here. In social media, please use the competition’s official hashtag #EuroVolleyW.