17/05/2015 20:59
Serbia down Turkey to secure trip to Puerto Rico and qualification for this year’s U20 World Champs
2015 FIVB U20 Women Volleyball World Championship - European Qualification
Ruma, Serbia, May 17, 2015. After their shaky start in the tournament with a shocking tie-break loss to France on Friday, 2014 U19 European champions Serbia were definitely back on track on Sunday as they routed Turkey in three sets (25-10, 25-20, 25-23) to claim first place in Pool G and this way they also secured their participation at this year’s FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship in Puerto Rico. The final day of competition in the city of Ruma had started earlier in the afternoon with France claiming their second victory of the weekend after seeing off their opponents from the Czech Republic in three quick sets (25-18, 25-14, 25-13).
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France vs. Czech Republic 3:0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-13)
In the first match of the last day in Ruma, France swept the Czech Republic aside by 3:0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-13) after just 69 minutes of play. Michaela Mlejnkova recorded 14 for the Czechs in their losing effort to top the scorers’ chart.
France took an early control of the match but soon the Czechs equalised. Once again, France created a small gap (14:11) and preserved the lead thru to the second technical time-out (16:13). After the break, France calmly brought the first set to an end at 25-18. At the beginning of the second set France took an early 8:2 lead, and that was a gap the Czech girls could never compensate throughout the remainder of the set. Like in the previous two sets, France took control of the game right from the start of the third one as well and never let it go. In the end, the ‘Bleuettes’ could cruise to a convincing 25-13 for a speedy three-set win.
Héléna Cazaute, France’s outside spiker, said: “We played this match very aggressively, contrary to the game with Turkey. Of course, the Czech team is not as strong as Serbia and Turkey, but still I am glad that we managed to maintain our focus and bring this game to an end without major difficulties.”
Marie Kurkova, team captain of the Czech Republic, commented: “We wanted to win very much, but the French girls were better in defence and in attack so I have to congratulate them on this victory.”
Turkey vs. Serbia 0:3 (10-25, 20-25, 23-25)
In the last match of the tournament, Serbia swept Turkey in three straight sets (25-10, 25-20, 25-23) after 78 minutes of play. Sara Lozo of Serbia topped the scorers’ chart with 17 points, while Su Zent scored eight points for Turkey in their losing effort.
Serbia was off to a terrific start right from the beginning of the match. The home favourites took an early 8:2 lead, followed by an impressive 14:4 on the scoreboard. Their serving was just excellent and a lot of effort in defense made it virtually impossible for the Turkish side to score some points, with the set ending in a swift 25-10 for the hosts.
The game was somewhat more exciting in the second set, as Turkey managed to stay close on the scoreboard and to get in front at the second technical time-out by the slimmest margin (16:15). However, Serbia quickly regrouped and got back the lead. Turkey once again could not find any answer for Serbia’s outstanding game as the home team stormed to a 25-20 set win and 2:0 lead overall.
Serbia started the third set in the same manner, with an early 6:2 lead. However, Turkey slowly but surely narrowed the gap and equalised at 9:9. Still, Serbia once again created an unreachable gap, breaking away more and more by the minute. At the second technical time-out the home side led by 16:11. Sara Vucicevic scored for the 17:11, and then Maja Aleksic recorded an ace to claim the next rally as well. After a time-out called by Turkey, the visiting side scored five points in row, forcing Serbian mentor Marijana Boricic to call for a break as well. It was all even in the finishing stages of the set, but Serbia was slightly more focussed and got away with an important victory in straight sets.
Marijana Boricic, coach of Serbia, said: “We didn’t expect this kind of victory, especially after the performance we showed in the last couple of days. However, we found the right rhythm, the girls did their best and I am very happy with our game, and of course with the victory tonight.”
Ataman Güneyligil, coach of Turkey, said: “Serbia played perfectly at blocking, serving and also with the general organisation of their game, doing so especially in the first set. We got better as the game progressed, but we missed our chances.”
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