Monza, Italy, September 27, 2011 – It needed all their power for the Netherlands to overcome Azerbaijan in tonight’s second playoff match for the quarterfinal qualification. The Dutch beat Azerbaijan 3-1 (23-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-17), thus giving them their ticket for tomorrow’s duel versus Italy at 2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women in Monza.

During two sets, there was nothing to separate the two teams. Indeed, the Netherlands were lucky to avoid a 0-2 leeway in the second set by parrying three set balls ball for Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s Natalya Mammadova was the best player of the match scoring 22 points, but it wasn't enough. The 17 points scored by the Dutch captain Manon Flier were more useful as they helped the Netherlands to pull trough.

The team of head coach Avital Selinger experienced a good start into the match. The “oranjes” led 6-2 before Azerbaijan fought back bravely to turn the tables at 8-7 at the first technical timeout. It was a neck-and-neck race with both teams showing a great spectacle. In the deciding phase of the first set, Yelena Parkhomenko with her power serves and Polina Rahimova at the net closed the set out in Azerbaijan’s favor, 25-23.

Faig Garayev’s ladies kept the momentum in the second set as they still led by four points at the second technical break. However, three set balls were not enough for Mammadova and her teammates. Dutch superstar Manon Flier hammered an ace to turn around the score for the Netherlands. It was certainly the key moment of the match.

Maret Grotheus with seven points as well as Ingrid Visser with six kills were the most valuable players in the Dutch team during the third set. The Azeri resistance was now broken, while Selinger’s team kept the pace at a high level. As a consequence, there was no doubt about the winner of the third period (25-16).

The Netherlands never looked back in the fourth set. Flier ended the game after 103 minutes of play 25-17, and the match 3-1.    

The Netherlands coach Avital Selinger: "Today’s match was difficult. The Azeri demonstrated their power and it took us a while to understand how to organize our game to make it successful. They were particularly good at serving and blocking.”

The Netherlands captain Manon Flier: "During the first two sets we were hesitating. Then we improved our game and the situation was reversed in the third and fourth set. We faced Italy two years ago in the final, but now, I repeat it, each match is like a final."

Azerbaijan captain Oksana Parkhomenko: "We are sad for the result of today's match. They were particularly strong at blocking. We got off with the right foot but then something changed in their game."