29/09/2017 09:00
Repeat of pool matchups highlights second day of #EuroVolleyW quarterfinals
2017 CEV Volleyball European Championship - Women
Baku, Azerbaijan, September 29, 2017. After the Netherlands and Serbia secured their spot in the semis with compelling victories over Italy and Belarus, the programme of the 2017 women’s EuroVolley quarterfinals continues on Friday with another two matchups. Azerbaijan will try to secure their first appearance in the European Championship semis since 2005 as they go for a repeat of their pool match with Germany – which they won 3-1. Later in the evening, Russia and Turkey will go for another rematch after the reigning European champions emerged victorious in four sets in Pool C. No matter what – with Russia playing Turkey and with Serbia and the Netherlands already through, three of the 2015 semi-finalists will be in contention for a medal later this weekend in Baku.
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Click here for a list of the countries where live streaming of the matches will be available.
Azerbaijan vs. Germany
Head-to-head
• Azerbaijan and Germany have met four times at the European Championship, claiming two wins each.
• Azerbaijan won 3-0 in 2005 (group) and 3-1 last Monday (group). Germany claimed two straight-sets victories, in 2007 and 2009 (both group).
• Azerbaijan could claim three wins against a specific opponent for the first time at the European Championships. So far, they have beaten Germany and Croatia on two occasions.
• On Monday, Polina Rahimova (20 for AZE) and Louisa Lippmann (26 for GER) both scored at least 20 points.
• Their most recent meeting in a world level tournament came at the 2014 World Championship, when Germany won 3-0.
Azerbaijan
• Azerbaijan will finish in the top eight for the second time, after a fourth place on their debut in 2005.
• They have only once reached the semifinals at the European Championship, also in 2005.
• Azerbaijan are still unbeaten this campaign, losing only one set in their three matches (3-1 against Germany).
• They can win four successive matches in the competition for the second time after a run of four in 2005.
• Polina Rahimova is Azerbaijan's top scorer this campaign on 73 points. She scored at least 20 points in each of her three matches.
Germany
• Germany finished runners-up in 2011 and 2013 and were ranked fifth in 2015.
• The Germans have not won the trophy since their re-unification. The GDR won the trophy in 1983 and in 1987.
• Germany have lost their last quarterfinal match in the competition, 3-2 to Turkey in 2015. They claimed straight-set victories in the 2011 (Czech Republic) and 2013 (Croatia) quarterfinals.
• Germany have claimed at least one set in 14 of their last 15 fixtures at the European Championship – only losing 3-0 to Serbia in 2015.
• Louisa Lippmann has scored 87 points so far this campaign, most among players in the quarterfinals.
Russia vs. Turkey
Head-to-head
• Russia (incl. Soviet Union) have won six of their previous eight meetings with Turkey at the European Championship.
• Turkey's last win over Russia in the competition came in the 2011 quarterfinals (3-0).
• Turkey could join Italy, Poland and Germany (2 as East Germany) as the only countries with three victories against Russia at the European Championship.
• Russia could win three successive fixtures against Turkey for the first time at the European Championship.
• On Saturday, Russia beat Turkey 3-1 in the group stage despite a staggering 29 points by Turkey's Neriman Ozsoy.
Russia
• Russia are the only team to have won this tournament on more than two occasions: a record 19 titles (13 as Soviet Union).
• In only three of the previous 29 editions of the European Championship they failed to reach the podium: fifth in 2003 and sixth in both 2009 and 2011
• Russia have won 14 of their last 15 fixtures in the competition, with a 3-0 to Croatia in 2015 (group) as the only exception.
• Two of their three wins this campaign came in five sets, their first five-setters at the European Championship since 2009.
• Tatiana Kosheleva leads Russia in scoring this campaign on 62 points. She reached at least 20 points in both five-set victories.
Turkey
• Turkey have claimed two podium finishes at the European Championship: second in 2003 and third in 2011. They just missed out on the medals at the last edition in 2015 (fourth).
• Turkey have won two of their previous three quarterfinal fixtures in the competition: 3-0 against Russia in 2011 and 3-2 against Germany in 2015. They lost in straight sets to Russia in 2013.
• Turkey have won 29 of their 30 matches at the European Championship in which they won the opening set. The only exception is the 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in 1981.
• Neriman Ozsoy is Turkey's top scorer this campaign on 74 points. She scored 29 of those points against Russia.
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