The first set in Rotterdam was a spectacular thriller. Italy took the initiative and were leading 14:9 after multiple blocks from Martina Guiggi. Then, Tatiana Kosheleva brought Russia back to 16:16 with numerous strong spikes. In the final phase of this exciting set Irina Zaryazhko steered Russia to set point with two consecutive kill blocks. Italy maintained the level and at 26:27 the squad of coach Marco Bonitta even got a chance to take a 0-1 lead. In the end it was defending champion Russia who ended the tight race after Tatiana Kosheleva scored for the final 30-28.

Middle blocker Martina Guiggi continued her excellent performance in set two, when she scored three blocks in the first part of the period. Her teammate Cristina Chirichella followed her example and also played very strongly in the centre of the net. Captain Antonella Del Core made her entrance on the court and brought useful experience to her team, contributing to the 13:7 and 22:14 that gave Italy the chance to win the set by 25-20 after a successful attack from Valentina Diouf.

Russia recovered from the loss of set two and took a 13:9 lead in the third act. However, Italy fought back to 13:13 after great blocking from Cristina Chirichella. Until the 23:23 both teams were completely equal, but a kill block from Irina Zaryazhko put Russia on set point (24:23). Kseniia Ilchenko took the responsibility to conclude the period with a service ace: 25-23. 

In the fourth act, the score was tied until 7:7, but a few moments later Russia claimed the lead 18:13. The Italian opposite Valentina Diouf failed to extend her powerful display of the previous days and was substituted by Nadia Centoni. The 1.85-metres tall player could not save the day, and eventually Russia won the last set with 25-20 after a kill block from Tatiana Kosheleva. 

“No element of the game was easy for us today”, said the Russian captain Ekaterina Kosianenko. “Especially in serving and passing we had some troubles. But in the end we were strong as a team and managed to qualify for the semi-final. We will give everything to reach the final.”

“I’m proud of my team despite the defeat,” said Italian coach Marco Bonitta. “We played with the right concentration and with the intention to win. Russia is a very strong team, especially in blocking they were better than us today.”

The Netherlands vs Poland  3:1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16) 

The impressive orange crowd of 4,500 spectators in the Sportpaleis Ahoy arena in Rotterdam got what they came for and in the quarterfinal of the 2015 CEV DELA Volleyball European Championship – Women against Poland, the home team of The Netherlands clinched the ticket to semifinals of the tournament with a 3:1 win (25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16).

The opening of the second quarterfinal was for the home team. After an out-served ball by Natalia Kurnikowska it was 4:1 for the locals. However, Poland - driven by their enthusiastic fans in the tribune - kept cool and took over the lead at 4:5. Then, Robin de Kruijf launched two straight aces, resulting in a modest lead for the women in orange (10:8). The margin of points remained intact as another powerful spike by Lonneke Slöetjes made the lead of the local side grow up to six points (20:14). A ball cashed by Anne Buijs closed the opening set at 25-14 in favour of the Oranjes.

Though the opening of the second act went in a good way for the Polish ladies, who led 7:4 after an ace of Natalia Kurnikowska, the Netherlands took over control at the first technical time out (8:7). This time however Poland kept the pace and controlled the set. The tie was maintained through the period, but at 18:17 the coach of the Dutch team Giovanni Guidetti brought in Judith Pietersen at the serving position to help the local team get up to 20:17. Poland did not give in and fought for every ball, thus increasing the pressure on the home team. A ball that fell out the Dutch block eventually ended the second set in favour of the Polish ladies (25-23).

At the beginning of the third set, the Netherlands managed to create a gap of three points (4:1), which made Jacek Nawrocki call for an early time out. The Dutch train however was running again and after a tactic ball of Maret Balkestein-Grothues, the margin grew to six points (10:4). Despite the Polish efforts to change the course of the game, the Dutch train blasted throughout the period. A Polish ball that ended off the court finished the set 25-16.

Poland clearly was not beaten yet and showed opposition in the opening of the fourth act (8:9). But with Yvon Beliën on service, the Netherlands walked straight to 18:10, making the Ahoy sports hall almost explode by witnessing the local team's efficient performance. An ace by Judith Pietersen brought the Dutch team to 22:14 and after another well placed spike, the Netherlands got to match point. The top scorer in the local side Lonneke Slöetjes had the task to finish the match and spike her team to the semifinals against Turkey.

“We had a strong start, though today we felt the biggest pressure ever, for the first time in Ahoy and having to win to continue in the championship,” said the coach of The Netherlands Giovanni Guidetti.  “But my team is growing every day, I am incredibly proud. What they did today is not normal. Every substitute gave something extra, together my team created something really good, despite their lack of experience,” he added.

“We knew that we had to win, otherwise we would have achieved nothing. This week everything seems possible. On Saturday the Turkish team awaits us, they are well organised and their defence is also very good, but we have our home crowd, they lift us up in every match,” stated Dutch captain Maret Balkestein-Grothues.