Szczecin, Poland, August 25, 2017.  The Czech Republic won the opening match in Pool B of LOTTO EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 in Szczecin. In a great atmosphere created by the fans at Azoty Arena, coach Michal Nekola’s squad claimed a 3-1 (25-19, 28-30, 25-16, 25-17) victory over Slovakia. Even more fans flocked to the stands for the Germany vs. Italy clash. Italian coach Andrea Giani led the Germans to a 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-8) triumph over his compatriots.

Czech Republic vs. Slovakia 3-1 (25-19, 28-30, 25-16, 25-17)

The Czech Republic started the match more concentrated and quickly built up a 10-5 lead. Then Slovakia managed to measure up to their opponents in performance, which was not enough to narrow down the gap. With Donovan Dzavoronok keeping pace and the Slovaks making more mistakes, the Czechs managed to maintain their advantage through the end of the first set – 25-19.

Slovakia responded with a 9-5 breakaway, extended further to 12-6 before the Czechs started mounting a comeback. With Michal Finger on fire in offence, they caught up at 16-16 to prompt a fierce battle with several switches in the lead all the way through a long overtime. In the end, it was a kill block by Slovakia’s setter Juraj Zatko that closed it off at 30-38.

Great overall precision, huge blocking effort and three fiery aces in a row by Donovan Dzavoronok to finish the third set off sums it all up on the way to an impressive 25-16, which gave back the lead to the Czech Republic.

The fourth set was competitive only through 9-9.  Capitalising on the many mistakes of the opponents, the Czechs took control of the scoreboard and ran off with a solid lead. An unforced error on Slovakia’s side fixed the final 25-17 and stamped the victory for the Czech Republic.

Michal Finger was the best scorer of the match, contributing as many as 24 points to his team’s win. Donovan Dzavoronok added 18, while Stefan Chrtiansky Jr topped the charts for Slovakia with 15 points.

Ales Holubec, player of Czech Republic: "The matches against Slovakia are unique to us and we always treat them like a kind of a derby. I am glad that we were able to win because it is a perfect start to the tournament. For several years we had some troubles with winning sets at such events and, this time, on the first occasion we managed to win."

Michal Nekola, coach of Czech Republic: "We started with good reception, so we entered the game and the tournament well. In the second set we made a successful chase, but still we lost our concentration at the end somehow. After the break we got back into the game and won the match, which means we are still in the tournament. This was only the first step. We have many more ahead. It is good that we have a day off tomorrow, because my team need to clear their heads."

Emanuel Kohut, captain of Slovakia: "I have the impression that we lost primarily because we did not present our full potential today. Especially in the first and the third sets we did not attack at 100% and this has brought such results. In training it looked much better and our strikes had a lot more power. For some reason, we could not repeat it during the match."

Andrej Kravarik, coach of Slovakia: "I think that my boys could not play well because of the pressure of a European Championship. We struggled with our serving (23 points lost), we missed the lines while attacking. The Czechs have been playing good Volleyball for a long time, and today they confirmed it. We will continue playing and I hope the boys will show what they really can do."

Germany vs. Italy 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-8)

Inspired by the crowded and noisy stands at the Azoty Arena, the two teams got right into the battle and played a very competitive first set, with frequent changes in the lead. The Germans kept their cool in the conclusive moments of the set and went up to a 25-22 win, shaped up with an ace by Simon Hirsch for the last point.

The power clash continued into the second set. Until the final moments of the set the gap never exceeded two points. However, after 19-19, this time the Italians stayed more concentrated and stepped ahead. Filippo Lanza crowned his fantastic performance in this set with a brilliant back-row hit, stunning the Germans for 25-21.

Italy kept the momentum into the third set and was well in control throughout its duration. The Germans came close narrowing it down to 18-19, but a rally later Lanza got a chance to shine from the serving line and took it. With two aces in a row, he helped his squad on the way to a 23-18 lead, which moments later was converted into a 25-19 win.

After 8-8, Germany took tight grip on the fourth set. Both György Grozer and Denys Kaliberda were on fire at the net. Grozer chipped in with a couple of aces too. Italy never recovered and the Germans cruised to a 25-19 success to re-tie the match.

Coach Giani’s men were quick to set their foot on the tie-breaker too. Grozer continued to shine in both spiking and blocking and led his team to a 15-8 close and a sweet victory over the 2015 EuroVolley bronze medallists.

György Grozer was the man of the match hammering out 28 points for his team’s win. Denys Kaliberda added another 17. Luca Vettori was Italy’s best scorer with 18 points, while his teammate Filippo Lanza made 17.

Germany’s Marcus Böhme, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on the day of the match, came in as a sub during the second set.



Lukas Kampa, captain of Germany: "The serving and the blocking were key factors to win the game. There were some moments of crisis, but overall it was a perfect teamwork. Now we have to sleep well and recover before the match against the Czechs."

Denys Kaliberda, player of Germany: "During the match I was not sure who was going to win. We had to play point-to-point, improve reception and, finally, thanks to the team effort, we won. But both teams were well prepared. There are two matches ahead of us. We have to perform on a high level. Fortunately, we do not play tomorrow, so we can have enough rest for the match on Sunday."

Andrea Giani, coach of Germany: "The Italian national team is a current runner-up of the Olympic Games. We knew that it would be hard to play against them. I am glad that my team showed its value and even if we struggled at the beginning, we were able to stand up and fight for victory."

Matteo Piano, player of Italy: "I think it was a good match. Germany played better at the end, and it was the only difference between us that gave them the victory. On paper, the rest of this group seems to be easier to play against, but neither Slovakia nor the Czech Republic have to deal with such pressure as we do."

Simone Giannelli, player of Italy: "The serving of the Germans was crucial for the fate of the tie-break. They played well and caused a lot of problems to our reception. I guess it was the key element that enabled them to win."

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