01/08/2015 18:37
Easy run for Former Y.R. of Macedonia in first home matchup with Austria
2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men
Skopje, Former Y.R. of Macedonia, August 1, 2015. The hosts of the Former Y.R. of Macedonia claimed on Saturday their fourth victory in the 2015 edition of the CEV Volleyball European League – Men cruising to a 3:0 (25-18, 25-17, 26-24) win in their first home matchup with Austria. As they got three points from this game, the team of the Former Y.R. of Macedonia remain in contention for a spot in the Final Four tournament which is due to take place on August 13-14 in Walbrzych, Poland.
This match extended a pretty long rivalry between the two teams and the Former Y.R. of Macedonia added another chapter to their success story in the head-to-heads with Austria. The hosts played very concentrated and determined from start to end, knowing where Austria’s strengths were to be found and reacting accordingly. Once again opposite Jovica Simovski played a superb match, as did also team captain Nikola Gjorgiev and Gjoko Josifov.
After suffering an injury last week, Aleksandar Ljaftov was back on track and he also delivered a good performance.
After dominating in the first and second sets, things got more difficult for the hosts in the third one. They relaxed a bit too much – and too early – and Austria claimed a four-point lead (17:13) that nevertheless did not last that long. The Former Y.R. of Macedonia drew level at 17 all and in a very close final rush the hosts remained calm to use their first set ball to finish the match in three sets.
The re-match is now set to follow on Sunday at 7pm local time.
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
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