01/08/2015 00:41
Slovenia emulate Estonia and Greece by recording seven straight victories
2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men
Craiova, Romania, July 31, 2015. Slovenia continued on Friday their triumphal march in Pool B of the 2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men. The players mentored by Andrea Giani claimed yet another victory, their seventh in a row, this time edging hosts Romania in three straight sets (25-14, 25-22, 25-17) in Craiova.
Romania started the match in full swing with opposite Laurentiu Lica setting the pace for the home side. His inspired attacks did not find much resistance on the other side of the net and Romania got to the front at the first technical time-out (8:7). However, Slovenia immediately reacted with the help of their young opposite Toncek Stern who killed some excellent spikes and the hosts found themselves in a very difficult situation. Romania tried to defy Slovenia’s offensive but their dreams were shattered by opposite Toncek Stern and middle blocker Alen Pajenk whose combined efforts propelled a 16:11 lead for Slovenia at the second technical time-out. Romania briefly seemed to come back on track with opposite Laurentiu Lica’s smart spikes but Slovenia comfortably finished the set at 25-14.
Slovenia began the second set with the same energy and power and especially with good spiking of opposite Toncek Stern and this way claimed an early 8:6 lead. Romania tried to fight back by paying more attention to their reception and using some clever attacks of their opposite Laurentiu Lica but Slovenia didn’t let their opponents get too close and the always relentless Toncek Stern and outside spiker Tine Urnaut (pictured, #17) helped the visitors establish a 16:12 cushion at the second mandatory break. Romania responded through their persistent opposite Laurentiu Lica but Slovenia was far more efficient in reception and ended the set at 25-22.
In the third set Slovenia continued their offensive with opposite Toncek Stern killing attacks one after the other and intelligent blocks by Uros Pavlovic that stopped Romania’s spikers. Slovenia was up 8:6 at the first technical time-out before Romania responded with Laurentiu Lica’s well-placed attacks. Slovenia reacted immediately with Toncek Stern being always their main attacker. The very good reception of Slovenia helped the visiting team cruise to the final 25-17 to wrap up yet another victory in the competition.
Andrea Giani, coach of Slovenia: “I’m very happy with the result. The guys played really well. The setter and opposite were confident in their strength and had a good rhythm in side out. Toncek Stern, our opposite, is a young player but he served, blocked and spiked really good.”
Danut Pascu, Romania’s mentor: “Our reception betrayed us today and we weren’t able to construct efficient attacks. The Slovenian team was better in defence. We have to work more in reception and to be more focussed.”
Click here for further info including detailed stats of the match
|