11/07/2015 21:33
Israel bounce back to claim first win of 2015 European League campaign
2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men
Ra’anana, Israel, July 11, 2015. After losing in straight sets on Friday, the home heroes of Israel bounced back only 24 hours later to cruise to a 3:0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-20) win in their second matchup with Denmark to claim their first victory in the 2015 edition of the CEV Volleyball European League – Men. Last week Israel had conceded two defeats to Austria in Enns but this time around the guys around Avital Selinger played with a lot of vigour and determination to delight the 450 fans in attendance at Metrowest Sports Palace in Ra’anana.
The score remained tight up to 4 all in the first set before Alexander Shafranovich, by far the most experienced player of the home team, claimed an 8:7 lead at the first technical time-out. Israel widened their small cushion as actions resumed after the break (10:8) and continued to play at a very high tempo to make it 16:11 in their favour at the second mandatory break. As Denmark scored three in a row to reduce their deficit, Selinger stopped the game and his players reacted well with Ariel Katzenelson eventually pocketing the final 25-20 for the home side.
Israel caught a very promising start in set 2 (3:1) and again helped by Shafranovich, the home side got to the front at the first technical time-out (8:5). Israel continued to play very aggressively (10:7) and did not relinquish their lead (19:14) adding to their attacks some solid defence. An ace by their setter Katzenelson contributed Israel’s 21st point and the next rally was also claimed by the home side on a Danish mistake, with the set eventually coming to an end at 25-16 Israel’s way.
Israel continued their home show also in set 3 (3:1, 7:2) and Tamir Hershko called for the first technical time-out with the guys in blue shirts leading by 8:2. Iliya Goldrin moved the score to 10:5 with a superb spike but Selinger was forced into a time-out as Denmark stormed back to reduce their gap down to two points at 12:10. Genadi Sokolov helped Israel find back their pace (17:14) and everything went just easy for the home side which broke away to 23:16 and brought the set and match to an end at 25-20.
Israel coach Avital Selinger said: “Our team is very pleased with the game tonight; we were well prepared, all credit is due to the players who managed to turn things around in just 24 hours, we were playing strong in defence and at the net and we were able to lead excellently throughout the game. We are a young team and every international game gives us more experience.”
Danish coach Mikael Trolle said: “Tonight we could not present the same level as yesterday. We failed with our serves and blocks, and this way we gave away many points to the Israeli team that played very well tonight.”
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