Plovdiv, Bulgaria. March 28, 2015. The upcoming stars of European Volleyball have started to shine in Bulgarian cities of Plovdiv and Samokov. The 2015 CEV U18 Volleyball European Championship – Women lived its inaugural day, with thrilling matches that opened two weeks of emotions for the best young and promising players in Europe. In the venue of Plodvid, the clashes were marked by the upset received by host Bulgaria and by the two victories achieved by Turkey and Belgium.
Poland vs Turkey 2:3 (22-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-17, 10-15)
The opening match in Plovdiv was a true clash of titans. Poland, defending European champions, faced Turkey, current Bronze medalists, in an encounter that set the tone of emotions for the games in the ancient Bulgarian city. After a hard-fought first set controlled by Turkish players, Polish girls reacted by putting the tie in the scoreboard in a thrilling end of second period. Nonetheless, Mehmet Nur Bedestenloglu’s pupils were able to contain the spikes by Aleksandra Lipka and dominated the third set. When the victory was at Turkish squad’s hands, Poland girls came back one more time, showing their prowess in the game through the efficiency of its collective performance. However, in an intense tie-break, Turkey managed to keep calm and with asensational end of match, current Bronze medalists surprised the defending champions and presented its candidacy to title.
“It was a hard game, but I’m very happy that we won. It was very important for us, because we are a very young team. I hope that we’ll play better from match to match”, declared Mehmet Nur Bedestenloglu, head coach of Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish captain Selmin Karahan commented: “It was a very tough first game for us. The important thing is that we never gave up and we took the victory. Our team will be able to grow up step by step with each passing game".
“This match was very strange, Turkey won two sets, we equalized two times. I think that both teams were on same level and I hope that we’ll play better in the next game”, expressed Head coach of Poland, Andrzej Pec, whereas the captain of the team Aleksandra Rasinska commented: “It is difficult to speak after such a match. I hope in the next days we will able to beat our rivals”.
Bulgaria vs Czech Republic 0:3 (12-25, 12-25, 21-25)
In front of a crowded University Sport Hall of Plovdiv, the host team Bulgaria experienced its anticipated premiere in the competition against an inspired Czech squad. The ebullient local fans tried to encourage the young Bulgarian girls so they could suppress the normal qualms of the start competition, but the organizing team met an overmotivated group of visiting players, who were able to compensate the cheering crowd with a convincing demonstration of collective skill. In the first two sets, Czech Republic presented such an outstanding level that Bulgaria could not find ways to replicate the efficiency from the other side of the net. As the match elapsed, Bulgaria intended to control its frustration, so to find the path to a recovery, but Czech girls did not cede and achieved a stunning 0:3.
“We could not rely on our good service, and I think that was the major problem for us. It is unpleasant, but it’s a logical loss in the beginning of the championship. There was tension in our team because we were playing in front of our great fans, and I hope that tomorrow we’ll show a different face”, declared head coach of Bulgaria, Radoslav Bakardzhiev. Meanwhile, the captain of the team, Yoanna Atanasova said: “We’ve started this match in a difficult situation and I think that we can definitely play better. Now, this game is history and we need to start thinking in going for the victory tomorrow”.
“We played very well throughout the game, but the most important thing is that we were concentrated during all the match. I think we performed well in service, we played at good level also in attack and that helped us to win”, stated Ales Novak, head coach of Czech Republic, while the captain of the team, Tiziana Baumrukova said: “We played well in the first and second sets, we were concentrated, without making any mistakes. Only in the third period we did not play well in the beginning, but finally we won!”.
The Netherlands vs Belgium 0:3 (22-25, 12-25, 23-25)
Belgium presented its candidacy to rule the Pool with a compelling victory over The Netherlands, in the match between the two neighbor countries that closed the first day of competition in Plovdiv. The girls trained by Fien Caellens, supported by two dozen Belgium fans in the stands, offered a high level of performance based in their efficiency and lack of mistakes. Throughout the three sets, the Dutch squad attempted to find resources to disturb its rivals, but the serves and attacks by Belgium team gave its enthusiastic players the edge to control the match and to achieve a triumph that puts them in the road to leadership of the pool.
“The Belgium girls did things in the best possible way. We had our moments in the match, but we missed them”, stated Saskia Van Hintum, head coach of The Netherlands, while the Dutch captain, Charlotte Haarsaid declared: “We did not play very well in this game and we made a few mistakes. Generally, we play well in the block, but not today. It was very bad to lose; we hope to improve tomorrow”.
“We know very well the team of The Netherlands, but honestly I didn’t expect a 3:0. After this victory, we have a chance to move forward in the standings, but we are going to do it step by step. For me, it’s a great experience to work with these young girls and I’m happy that when we won”, commented the head coach of Belgium, Fien Callens. “This is a very good start for us in this championship. Throughout the game we had the confidence that we could win and I'm glad we did it”, expressed Charlotte Coppin, captain of Belgium.
Click here for the summary of the matches in Samokov.
Click here for more information, including schedule, gallery and competition programme.