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Russia vs Belgium 3:0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-23)

Russia confirmed their candidacy to dominate Pool B with their compelling second victory in the competition, a three-sets feat against Belgium.

Owing their success to their ample physical preeminence, the Russian players aimed at taking the fast lane to victory in the first match of the day, thus adding another triumph to their tally in the tournament. The Russian hermetic blocking system and their lethal attacks placed the team directed by Sergey Shlyapnikov on route to victory with a conclusive first set (25-18).   

Belgium tried to offer alternatives to the Russians’ dominance by putting efforts in defence, and sought to maintain their deficit to a minimum in the second period. However, Russia’s mighty blocking and the spikes by Ilia Vlasov proved to be too much to handle for the Belgian side, as the 2013 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men gold medallists closed the period with a sensational quick spike by their middle blocker Igor Filippov (25-18).

Since Belgium was struggling to keep their rivals’ pace in the match, Russia extended their demonstration of power to the third period, even though Kris Tanghe's men forced a late tie in the set. Jolan Cox’s offensive efficiency on the Belgian side could not counteract the powerful display coming from the other side of the net. After a match ball saved by Belgium, Victor Poletaev found a way through the opposing block to put the 25-23 that finished the third set and the match. 



“We were very focussed from the beginning of the game and this is why we got the 3:0,” commented Russian player Ilia Vlasov, who added referring to the early match: “In Moscow it is 7:00 a.m. at the moment, so it took us some time to get used to playing at these hours and being able to show what we can do.”

“We knew that it would be a difficult match to play because Russia is such a strong team, but still, we are a little bit disappointed for how the game went,” declared Belgian captain François Lecat. “It was like in the first day: we play good Volleyball until there’s a possibility to do something important, then we lose control and we give it away. It’s just stupid, it’s really a pity,” he added.

Germany vs Slovakia 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-23)

Germany was determined to wash off the first round defeat to Russia in today’s match against Slovakia. Die Mannschaft was cool, calm, and convincing throughout the entire match and won 3-0 in only 85 minutes.

While Slovakia had got a great beginning at the Volleyball tournament in Baku with a 3:1 win over Italy, Germany had the opposite bad start having lost 1:3. The gold-shirted Germans needed a win to get a foot in the European Games tournament. Captain Jochen Schöps took the responsibility on his shoulders and spiked his team to a flying start of the first set. Slovakia could not find a response to Germany’s variety of offensive plays, and Germany won 25-15.

Even though Germany was behind 14:16 in the second set, they still seemed cool and confident of their own strength and ability to turn over the set. And so they did. Coach Vital Heynen’s troops won six points in a row making it 20:16. This drained the spirit of the Slovakian team completely, and Germany cruised to the set win (25-18).

Now it only seemed to be a matter of time, before Germany could celebrate their first win at the European Games in Baku. Without overstraining captain Schöps and his team kept a gap between themselves and Slovakia. Twice Slovakia equalised the score, at 15 and 16 points, but both times they served the Mikasa directly in the net. Germany won the set 25-23 and is back on track in the tournament.  



“It was nice to win 3-0 and the first two sets as clear as we did. I think Slovakia played under their normal level today, we know and have seen that they can play better. In general we were able to put a good pressure with our service and we were able to read them well. We had some good scoring streaks, and of course it is easier and you are more relaxed when you are ahead with four or five points. This victory is very important for us, as we want to finish best possible in the medal race,” says Jochen Schöps, captain and top scorer of the match with 17 points.

“In the first set Germany was better in all aspects. In the second set, we had chances against this strong opponent, but we did not take them. In the last set, lack of patience from our players made us lose the set. Now we have to play against Russia, and if we play closer and stronger than today, I'll be happy. We still have to face two very important matches against Bulgaria and Belgium and these two matches will decide whether we go up or down,” declared the coach of Slovakia, Miroslav Palgut.

Bulgaria vs Italy 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 34-32, 25-19)

There was plenty of fight and set points in the battle between Bulgaria and Italy. After Bulgaria won the longest set of the tournament this far, Italy broke and lost the match 1:3.

Tonight’s contestants, Bulgaria and Italy, are later this year co-hosting the men’s 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship. But it was clear from the beginning of the match that the cooperation only applied outside the court. On the court the two teams fought an intense battle in the first set sparing no one in the fight for the win. The crucial aspect of the set was the Bulgarian blocking game which was water proof, exemplified by Velizar Chernokozhev’s two kill blocks. Bulgaria took the set 25-21.

Italy now was forced to level up their game to avoid the worst possible start of the European Games losing the first two matches of the tournament. Determined to do so, Italy’s middle blocker Thomas Beretta proved why he shares name with the Italian firearms manufactory. His arms were on fire with sharp shooting spikes, which helped Italy get back on track with a 25-22 set win.

The third set started off as close as the two first, but little by little the Azzurri build up a comfortable lead, 16:11 at the second technical timeout. Still in front with five points at 19 Italy stalled. Bulgaria began a hefty comeback by the glowing hands of Nikolay Nikolov who lead the red-shirted team to the equalizer (21:21). Italy survived one Bulgarian set point before they had three of their own, which Bulgaria managed to prevent. Then Bulgaria had three set points in a row without being able to convert them. At 32:31 Italy had their fourth set point, but Bulgaria won the next three points pocketing the longest set of the tournament this far 34-32.

The close encounter of the third set clearly affected the minds of the players. While Bulgaria had extra will and belief in themselves, Italy had doubts. This made it relatively easy for Bulgaria to get a swift lead and slowly the Italian fell apart as Bulgaria kept finding ways to score. Bulgaria won the set 25-19 and find themselves in 2nd place in Pool B just behind leaders Russia.



“I feel great! We won the game, we have three more points, which we need. Now we just have to be better, and I am sure that we will, because we have some injured players, me included, so everything is going to be ok. It was a great game for us,” commented the captain of Bulgaria, Todor Aleksiev.

“Bulgaria played a good game tonight. It is really a shame that we could not take advantage of one of the set points we had in the third set. I don’t know if it is because we are a young team. Now we need to focus on the next two matches against Belgium and Germany which we have to win. We do not forfeit. We still believe we can advance to the next round,” says Italy’s middle blocker Thomas Beretta.