Baku, Azerbaijan, June 20, 2015. The intensity levels reach absolute limits at the Crystal Hall arena in Baku, where the teams competing in the Pool B of the men’s competition are clashing with an eye on the next round of the tournament. In a thrilling and shifting starting match in the pool, Slovakia beat Belgium 3:1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 25-19). The outstanding level of Volleyball continued in the second game of the pool, as Bulgaria surprised Russia in a sensational display of powerful serves and spikes for a 3:1 victory (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17).
Italy needed a win in the last match of tonight in Pool B to keep their hope of a spot in the quarterfinals alive. But Die Mannschaft shattered their dream after a skillful display of Volleyball for a 3-0 win (25-18, 25-22, 27-25).
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Slovakia vs Belgium 3:1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 25-19)
Slovakia upset Belgium in the clash between two teams yearning to maintain their options to continue their adventure in the competition. The Slovak team showed a greater confidence and strength, thus being able to achieve a hard-fought and relevant victory for their outcome in the tournament.
In a dynamic start of the match, Slovakia rushed to take the lead of the game through their preeminence in attack. The spikes finished by Marcel Lux allowed the Slovak side to impose a more conclusive pace so to control the first period (8:6, 16:14). A terrific offensive action finalised by Marcel Lux represented the 25-22 in the initial period.
Belgium regained their bearings in the second set through a notable improvement in block and in defence. This boost in their efficiency rates allowed the Red Dragons to put a momentarily halt to the Slovaks’ offensive power, by retaking the edge in the second set (8:6, 14:16). Slovakia were unable to control the Belgians’ determination and could not prevent their rivals from taking the victory in the period 19-25.
The third set was a roller coaster of points, with continuous shifts in the leadership of the game. While on the Belgian side of the net the Red Dragons tried to impose their preeminence through Tomas Rousseaux’s attacks, on the other side of the court the Slovaks’ blocks and Marcel Lux’s spikes offered the alternatives. The impressive blocking system by Slovakia made the difference at the end of the set (25-21).
In the continuation, Slovakia used the momentum from the previous set to give a boost to their intentions to win the match. Through the attacks finished by Stefan Chrtiansky and Marcel Lux, Slovakia gained an advantage that Belgium was unable to close. With a spike by Tomas Krisko, Slovakia finished the match 25-19.
”It was very important that we played our own game today and did not try to do something special. When we managed to reduce our own mistakes, we forced Belgium to search for new opportunities and we were able to cope with them. I am very satisfied and proud of the team. We did not know where we stood against the others before the tournament, and now there is a good chance that we will go through to the next round,” said Slovakia’s Stefan Chrtiansky who scored 16 points in the match.
“Today it was a key game for us. If we wanted to qualify for the quarterfinals, it would have been good to win the match. Now for us it is going to be very difficult. We have one more game to play, against Germany, one of the best teams of our pool, so it will be very difficult for us. Today the biggest difference was the serve. We did not manage to make them have problems in reception and we had no block, as we ended with six blocks whilst Slovakia had 14, so that was the big difference,” said the coach of Belgium Kris Tanghe.
Russia vs Bulgaria 1:3 (22-25, 25-18, 23-25, 17-25)
In a clash of powerful and physical Volleyball, Bulgaria surprised Russia in a crucial and thrilling match, thus causing the first defeat in the championship to pool leaders Russia, and presenting their candidacy to shine in the tournament.
Through an excellent demonstration of compelling serves, Bulgaria established a convincing domination in the initial period. The fierce actions coming from the Bulgarian serving line determined the progress of the first set, and although Russia brilliantly produced a late reaction, Bulgaria maintained the momentum and closed the set with a spike by Jani Jeliazkov (25-22).
The spectacular display of energetic and offensive Volleyball continued in the second set, as impressive blocks and outstanding attacks took the spotlight in the Crystal Hall arena. In this exchange of superb Volleyball, Russia acquired an advantage through their sensational balance of blocks and attacks to break the set. The final 25-18 gave the Russian squad the chance to level the clash 1:1.
In the continuation, Victor Poletaev on the Russian side and Jani Jeliazkov for the Bulgarian team took command of their respective squads, and their successful performances – together with the excellence in serve and in block in both lineups on court – had as consequence a permanent tie in the scoreboard. Bulgaria managed to take a late and brief advantage and, even though Russia was able to save three set balls, a spike by Bulgarian captain Todor Aleksiev closed the set 25-23.
A starting 8:2 in the fourth set for Bulgaria put the squad trained by Nikolay Jeliazkov on route to victory. Russia tried to close their lines and aimed at putting pressure on their rivals with their robust blocking, but Bulgaria was able to stay on course, with the duo Todor Aleksiev and Jani Jeliazkov working havoc with their spikes. A sensational ace by Nikolay Nikolov sealed the 25-17 in a final action that perfectly represented the course of the whole match.
“I am of course very happy with our victory today. But also, I am very happy with the way we played. This is what we have been looking for. The team showed a great mentality. Every game is important, but right now, I am enjoying the moment and I do not think of the next match. We will do that later,” said the coach of Bulgaria Nikolay Jeliazkov.
“It was an unlucky match for us. Bulgaria was strong and when the ball was approaching us, we could not control it the way we wanted. Now we will analyse the match and take the right conclusions; we look forward to winning our next game,” said the captain of Russia, Dmitry Kovalev.
Germany vs Italy 3:0 (25-18, 25-22, 27-25)
Germany is ready for the quarterfinals of the European Games after downing Italy in straight sets. Italy needed a win to keep their hope of a ticket to the next round alive, but suffered their fourth defeat in Baku.
German captain Jochen Schöps has had red hot hands in Baku so far scoring 56 points in the tournament. The German doyen kept taking responsibility in that matter in the first set where the 31-year old opposite scooped in with four points. Germany had a comfortable lead all the way from the very first point and tired a knob at the set after 26 minutes, 25-18.
While Germany put a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the eldest, Italy on the other side of the net trusted in the youth. 21-year old Gabriele Nelli has been the main Italian point contributor so far in Baku with 43 points. The charismatic opposite swung his powerful arm again and again sending the Mikasa in the floor like a missile in the second set. This was enough for Italy to have the lead until halfway through the set, where Die Mannschaft turned the set around and won it 25-22.
The third set reminded of the second being a close contest, until Germany showed why they before this match had six points in the table and Italy only one. Germany just had a bit more in their hands in the decisive situations. The first German match point was secured by Jochen Schöps, but Italy managed to survive three before a flying Christian Fromm secured the set win 27-25.
With the loss Italy is definitely out of the European Games tournament having only their honour to play for in the last pool match against Russia. Germany on the other hand has booked a ticket to the quarterfinals.