07/10/2019 22:00
Scotland win SCA Championship with helping hand from Faroe Islands
News from the Zonal Associations
Torshavn, Faroe Islands, October 7, 2019. The mathematic combinations had to turn out right for Scotland to win the competition at the Small Countries Association (SCA) men’s ‘senior’ championship, as they firstly had to beat Greenland 3-0 and then hope that the Faroe Islands would beat Iceland 3-1. Any other result would mean that the Scots would miss out on the gold medals. However, this is exactly what happened in the end – with Scotland eventually celebrating their triumph.
Scotland vs. Greenland 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-18)
Knowing that the title may depend on the set scores, Scotland’s task was to win with a big margin against Greenland, and they did make short shrift, beating them 25-11, 25-14 and 25-18.
Scotland now had done their part and could only wait for the outcome of the match between the Faroe Islands and Iceland. If Iceland would win minimum two sets, it would secure them the title, but if the Faroe Islands won 3-0, the title would be theirs. However, if the hosts were to win 3-1, all three of them would be equal on points, and it would be the set score to decide matters.
The Vice Mayor of Torshavn, Gunnvor Balle, awarding the captain of Team Scotland
Faroe Islands vs. Iceland 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22)
The Faroe Islands started strongly and opened up a five-point lead, but were caught again at 14-all, but after 21-all managed to win four points in a row to take the opening set 25-22. The Faroese players seemed to be cruising to a two-set lead as they opened up a 14-7 advantage, but as it shrunk to 19-16 nerves were starting to creep in - which led to a total collapse and saw Iceland win nine rallies in a row and go from 16-21 down to winning the set 25-21.
With an inferior set-score compared to Scotland’s, it meant that the Faroe Islands were effectively out of the title race, but on the other hand, it opened the door for onlookers Scotland to take the title, but still only if the Faroese team were to beat Iceland 3-1.
Faroese players celebrate their 3-1 victory over Iceland in the final match of the tournament
The Faroe Islands edged ahead in the third set and for the most stayed ahead with a point or two before winning 25-22. It meant Iceland had to win the fourth set if they should not miss out on the title - and it became close, but at 22-all the Faroe Islands won three points in a row to clinch the set 25-22 and the match 3-1 which was the perfect result for the overjoyed Scots who therefore were crowned SCA Champions.
They were equal on points and sets with the Faroe Islands and Iceland, but with a superior set score. The Faroe Islands finished second, with Iceland and Greenland settling for the third and fourth place, respectively.
The four teams participating in the SCA Championship portrayed together at the end of the competition
Final standing
1. Scotland
2. Faroe Islands
3. Iceland
4. Greenland
You can watch all the matches here: http://fbf.fo/em--menn-2019
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