04/08/2015 14:37
Denmark take on arch-rival Austria to finish European League campaign in style
2015 CEV Volleyball European League - Men
Aarhus, Denmark, August 4, 2015. Denmark enjoy the home advantage in the last Pool Round of the 2015 CEV Volleyball European League coming up this weekend against Austria. Two wins are needed for the Danes to take over Austria’s fourth place in the current standing of Pool A.
The clash between Denmark and Austria is a special showdown as this is the third year in a row where Denmark and Austria cross swords in the European League.
Denmark has a record of two wins in five matches with the Austrians, and the two teams are all even before the last round of action in Pool A with two wins each.
The Austrians have the most ranking points, but as the number of wins counts first, the Danes can still steal the fourth position from their opponent with two wins on home soil in Aarhus.
“There is a lot at stake for us in the matches against Austria. The European League has from the beginning been a platform for us to develop and shape the team for the European Championship qualification next year,” says Mikael Trolle, the coach of Denmark.
“The guys have performed really well against strong opponents. Now we have to win against Austria to secure as many ranking points as possible and thereby the best possible position in the Drawing of Lots for the next European Championship Qualification,” he adds.
With the current ranking in Pool A, it is Austria the one who smiles. But Trolle looks forward to wiping the smile off their faces in the best possible surroundings in Aarhus, also known as the ‘City of Smiles’.
“We are in great shape. We have managed to push all of the top teams in the pool so far. Now we are all looking forward to finishing this year’s European League in Aarhus with some quality matches against Austria. I hope that many fans will find their way to Ceres Arena and give the team the same fantastic support that we experienced during the playoff match with Serbia we played in Aarhus during the European Championship in 2013,” Trolle concludes.
Denmark face Austria Saturday and Sunday with both matches starting at 16:00 local time.
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