Ganja, Azerbaijan, September 22, 2017.  EuroVolley 2017 started in central Azerbaijan with Serbia against the Czech Republic at the Göygöl Olympic Sport Complex dressed up to fit the occasion.  Bringing Volleyball to this part of the country may have presented a few logistical challenges, but if the full hall is anything to go by it is all worth it.  Despite a close start, Serbia dominated the first match taking their first victory in straight sets.  In the second match, Belgium took a deserved first set against the Netherlands, but it was the Dutch who triumphed in four.

Serbia vs Czech Republic 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-23)

The 2,000 plus in attendance got more and more into the match as the set grew on, clearly being led by a core group of Volleyball fans from the local area.  Both teams exchanged points early on with Serbia starting to show their power through Brankica Mihajlovic.  Leading by two at the first technical timeout everything reversed at the second with Czech Republic ahead 16-14.  Something happened as the teams gathered, with Serbia siding out before Jovana Stevanovic served her team to be 20-16 up.  The team ranked ranked 2nd in Europe maintained their lead and a crosscourt shot by Tijana Bošković took the set for her team 25-22.

In the 2nd set Czech Republic captain, Aneta Kocmanova Havlickova led her team out determined to come back after having many positives from the 1st set. This is their sixth successive appearance in the Final Round and they would need to call on that experience.  A great rally at 1-0 was finished by again by Bošković and from there Serbia never looked back.  Very quickly it was 6-2 for Serbia, then 11-4, 15-9, with the Czech team unable to reduce the deficit to less than six points.  A close line challenge at 17-11 went the way of the Czechs, but this was not going to stop the Serbian team who strode to victory in the 2nd set 25-16.

Serbia came out determined to finish the match in three sets but the Czech team were having none of it.  They kept the set close with it being a one point game at the first technical following a close challenge on a block touch.  From here the Czech team pushed on and established a three-point lead at 11-8.  Another two challenges went their way at 11-9 and soon it was evident that Coach Zdenek Pommer`s team were in control of the 3rd set (16-11).  However, his opposite number Zoran Terzic rallied his troops and they fought back to level at 20-20.  It went point for point through the twenties but in the end the Serbians were victorious 25-23, with top scorer Bošković getting 22 of their 75 points.

Quotes

Tijana Bošković, Serbian Opposite Hitter: "We are very happy because it starts off the tournament for us and is a very important victory. I think we played good but there is more room for improvement. The Czech Republic played really well but in all of the important moments we stopped them."

Stefana Veljkovic, Serbian middle blocker: "The game was good for us.  The first set we were a little bit nervous as it has been a long time since we played an official match.  But after this first set, it was easier for us because we started to control the game and everything was fine after."

Serbian Coach, Zoran Terzic: "We did not have many problems except a period in the third set and we played very well. We need to raise the level of our game from match to match so that when it is needed the most and we are right.  The match with the Netherlands is not crucial, we do not have to play it under "stress", but I expect the side to give a lot more than in this encounter with the Czech Republic, with even more motive, the spirit of the game, and to win naturally."

Czech Republic Captain, Aneta Kocmanova Havlickova: "We knew it would be a really hard game because Serbia is a really good and strong team.  We can say that the 1st and 3rd sets were good as it was close and point by point.  However of course when they need to push, they push.  I think that we played a good game and in the 1st and 3rd we did not give them the win easily."

Czech Republic Coach, Zdeněk Pommer: "In the second set we didn't catch the beginning, but the other two sets were balanced. Even in the third set we have had a chance. We need to be stronger. We have to learn. Tomorrow is the crucial match with Belgium."

Netherlands vs Belgium (3-1, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-14)

The second match of the day was clearly one the fans had been waiting for, as mini Belgian and Dutch flags started to appear everywhere, particularly from some of the younger fans.  Before the match Dutch Coach Jamie Morrison said "We are feeling great, as our team has been waiting for this moment for quite a while.  When you get to a tournament you always have this two-day waiting period where you are anxious to get onto the court and play for real.  So we are looking forward to getting out there and playing hard."

Despite this, Belgium took the early initiative dominating in many areas of the game.  Their setter, Ilka Van de Vyver, distributed the ball with ease challenging the Dutch block - who was without one of their best defensive weapons after Robin de Kruijf injured her ankle in training the previous day.  Despite having various leads, the Dutch would not go away, and it ended up close into the twenties after the Netherlands used their bench to force their way back into it.  A video challenge at 23-22 proved that there was no touch off a Lonneke Slöetjes attack and Belgium went on to win 25-23 with Lise Van Hecke wiping off the block on the last point.

The Netherlands started the second as if they had a point to prove with Anne Buijs, who came on in the first set, staying on particularly effective.  The Yellow Tigers who were buoyant after the first set were quickly brought back down as they struggled to live with the Dutch, particularily at the net.  The score was as much as 16-8 at the second technical timeout and then 19-9 as they approached the twenties.  The set finished with strong blocking from Yvon Belien and a 25-12 win.  The third set mirrored the previous one in many ways, with the only exception in that Belgium came back into it at the end, taking the score from 16-9 to 25-21 to the Dutch.

The fourth set started with things a lot more tense, and the crowd enjoyed the show that was being put on from the teams ranked 6th (BEL) and 7th (NED) in Europe.  However, the pattern set by the last two sets continued with every point the Belgians getting, the Dutch taking two. As the Dutch accelerated, so did their opposite Slöetjes who ended up being top scorer with 17 points.  The match ended at a canter with the team from the Netherlands taking another comfortable set to 14 points.

Quotes

The Netherlands Setter, Laura Dijkema: "It was a difficult match, we started a little bit nervous but I am really happy that we won.  It is an important win for us and we look forward to the next game tomorrow."

Belgium captain, Charlotte Leys: "I think we started very well in the first set with a lot of enthusiasm and service pressure  which made their reception very difficult. But of course, you need three sets like that at this level. The power and attacking strengths of the Netherlands proved to be decisive. From the time they got to the business in reception, we were taken away.   Too bad we lost. We must, however, be positive. We won one set and tomorrow will follow the important match against the Czech Republic."

Valérie Courtois, Belgian Libero: "We are a little disappointed of course.  When we started the game we were all in but in the end a 3-1 loss is a very logical outcome.  We played really well in the first set, but it is disappointing when you give it away yourselves.  We started pressuring them less in serve and then made our own mistakes in reception and the game just shifted."

Injured Dutch Middle-Blocker, Robin de Kruif: "I am proud of my girls, it was a tough first set with a lot of nerves but we bounced back well." When asked about her ankle she said it was "thick, but we will see how it goes.  It is not very painful so that is good!"

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