Antwerp, Belgium, September 30, 2015. The spectacular 2015 CEV DELA Volleyball European Championship – Women lived another day of action in Antwerp as the teams fighting to reach the quarterfinals clashed in the thrilling playoff matches, in a quest to continue their journey in the tournament. Germany stamped a conclusive three-setter victory (25-18, 25-17, 25-14) over Hungary in the first encounter of the day in the Belgian city to advance to the next round of the competition and play Turkey on Thursday. The Yellow Tigers gave the spectators in Lotto Arena in Antwerp a reason to celebrate after upsetting the Czech Republic 3:1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 25-9), thus booking the ticket to the quarterfinals in a showdown of thrilling Volleyball.
Germany vs Hungary 3:0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-14)
The 2013 silver medallists of Germany clinched the spot in the quarterfinals following a convincing win in three sets over Hungary. The gold medallists from the 2015 CEV Volleyball European League, after their historic victory against Azerbaijan on Monday, could not stop the efficiency from the other side of the net and witnessed how an inspired German side closed the match in straight sets.
The team directed by Jan De Brandt signed a promising start with an efficient attacking work by Dora Horvath and Agnes Pallag. Nonetheless, the German block started imposing its authority, and by limiting the Hungarian actions over the net, Luciano Pedullà’s ladies took the lead in the first set 10:6, 14:13. Germany intensified their actions, especially with Margareta Anna Kozuch and Wiebke Silge succeeding in attacks, and the 2013 silver medallists closed the period 25-18.
Germany soon acquired a significant lead in the second set as the Hungarian team tried to put an end to their rivals’ efficiency. Even the support of about two dozen Hungarian fans in the stands and the remarkable contribution presented by Dora Horvath and captain Rita Liliom was not effective enough for the Hungarians to hope for more in the set. Ultimately, Germany achieved the 25-17 that paved their way to the quarterfinals.
In the third period German ace Maren Brinker managed to break the initial tie to impose powerful serves so to give her team a 16:9 lead. This gap was too big for the Hungarians, who struggled to find solutions to their rivals’ powerful display. The 25-14 finished the set and the match 3:0 thus providing Germany with the coveted ticket to the next round.
“Our middle-blockers were better than the Hungarians and even though I saw some problems in defence and offence, we managed to do what we had to do, which is to beat Hungary. From now on we can think of the game against Turkey. In order to have a chance against them, our defence must work at a high level and our serves must even be better than today. Our aim is to reach the semifinals,” declared the coach of Germany, Luciano Pedullà.
“After Hungary’s victory against Azerbaijan, we expected a tougher game. But it’s better like this, so we have more energy for our quarterfinal. The service was the key to our success today,” stated German player Maren Brinker.
“I guess we were a little tired today. Our team has so much more to offer, but we had already used a lot of energy in the pool round. We still have to get used to play every match at this level. So, it’s over now, but I’m really happy with our result. What we achieved is a little bit of history for our country,” declared Hungarian player Dora Horvath.
“I can’t blame my players at all. They're new at this level and they had to play against the runners-up of the last European Championship. They were exhausted after two demanding weekends in the semifinals and the finals of the CEV European League. Our only goal in this Championship was a victory against Azerbaijan and to make it to the playoff stage. So we achieved all our goals this summer. I’ve got a long career as a coach, but I’ve rarely had so much satisfaction with a team as I had in the last four months,” stated the coach of Hungary Jan De Brandt.
Belgium vs Czech Republic 3:1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 25-9)
With a wavering performance and a 3:1 victory against the Czech Republic (25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 25-9), Belgium secured a spot in the quarterfinals following their success in the playoff match celebrated in Antwerp. The Yellow Tigers qualified for a big showdown against Serbia on home soil on Thursady, in a remake of the bronze medal clash of the 2013 EuroVolley.
The Yellow Tigers showed outstanding motivation from the beginning of the match and after just three minutes Laura Heyrman had scored the first four points of the game. Lise Van Hecke and Els Vandesteene added three more for an incredible 7:0 run, but coach Carlo Parisi got new fire and spirit from his Czech ladies, who immediately bounced back to 11:10, thanks to powerhouse Aneta Havlickova. The local setter Frauke Dirickx again opted for Laura Heyrman to secure a new comfortable lead, reaching the second technical time-out at 16:10. Then, Belgian star Lise Van Hecke started another fabulous 7:0 run which allowed Belgium to easily sail to the final 25-12 in the first set.
At the start of the second period Aneta Havlickova managed to rewrite the scenario. With the support of her captain Helena Havelkova, the Czechs took an early 9:5 lead. Michaela Mlejnkova played her part in the turnaround and added some more good spikes for a massive 21:13. Yet, after the Czechs moved the score to 24:18, Laura Heyrman and Els Vandesteene added new suspense to the game by saving five set points. However, Aneta Havlickova capitalised on the sixth and placed the 25-23 that brought more tension to the clash.
The Yellow Tigers found new inspiration in their comeback and imposed their law with a quick 5:0 lead in the third set. Nikol Sajdova’s and setter Lucie Smutna’s counters for 10:9 could not prevent the home team from building up a new five point gap at 14:9. Charlotte Leys secured this lead until 20:15, as Laura Heyrman nailed the set point (25-21).
It was hard to believe for the unconditional fans of the Yellow Tigers in Antwerp, but Belgium saved their best start for the fourth set. Through compelling serves, Charlotte Leys offered her teammates the opportunity for an amazing 8:0 run. With the quarterfinal in their own Lotto Arena within reach, the Yellow Tigers literally devoured their opponents and closed the period with a sweeping 25-9, much to the joy of their fans in Antwerp.
“A play-off game is always a stressful situation. It’s an all-or-nothing situation. Moreover, the home advantage put extra pressure on my ladies. Luckily my team kept fighting, especially after losing the second set. Our strong start in the fourth period was very important, at last we showed the crowd our real value,” stated the coach of Belgium Gert Vande Broek. “Our quarterfinal against Serbia will bring us in a completely different position. Serbia is the highly favourite side, so we can play without any stress,” he added.
“Even after our perfect start, you could feel the stress in our team. Yet we managed to pick up our level in order to grab the first set. In the second period, we definitely acted a way below our normal capacities. Even after we lost that set, I felt that we were in command,” declared Belgian star Laura Heyrman. “The game against Serbia will be a tough fight. They present a really strong team and they have already warned us that they want a revenge for the loss in the bronze medal match in Berlin two years ago. If we want to win, we’ll have to play in an all-or-nothing mood,” commented the Belgian middle blocker.
“I’m very disappointed after this defeat, especially with our performance in the fourth set. I thought we had a real good chance against Belgium, but we should have played a lot better. Our start was a catastrophe in almost every set. So many things went wrong, especially our blocks and defense were poor,” declared the coach of the Czech squad Carlo Parisi.
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