Russia, Bulgaria and Poland are the first three teams to qualify for Saturday’s 2009 CEV Men’s European Championships semifinals in Izmir. In Pool E, France, Greece as well as Germany kept their hopes alive for the fourth semifinal ticket. In the duel of the day, France overpowered Greece 3:1.
When Max Günthör blocked for a 25-20 German set win in the fourth set against 2007 defending champions Spain, the Germans experienced their second victory in a row in the Playoff Pool E. However, the German winning streak presumably started too late, as they initiated the Playoff Round with the minimum of points. Anyway, their performance today raises the hopes for a bright future with some young talents flying high. Spanish head coach Julio Velasco tried to neutralize German star Jochen Schöps as well as Björn Andrae from the beginning, consequently other German players as captain Robert Kromm (10 points), György Grozer (12) and second setter Simon Tischer assumed their responsibilities. For the Spaniards, the 2009 CEV Men’s Championships will certainly not be a success story. Until today, the Spanish team just overcame Slovenia as well as Slovakia, whilst they lost against Greece, Poland and Germany. “We didn’t play as a team”, said Velasco at the press conference.
Italy led 20-13 in the first set against Pool F leader Russia, but didn’t close it out (23-25). “We started very well today, but as always, we made too many mistakes in the crucial phases of the game”, said Italian head coach Andrea Anastasi after the match. The Italians did some good work in the middle, but their power hitters as well as their reception were not up to the mark. On the other hand, the Russians didn’t need to extravagate to take their 5th victory in a row, thus qualifying for Saturday’s semifinals in Izmir. Russian captain Sergey Tetyukhin stated: “The first set was very difficult. We made too many mistakes. But we learned to overcome the difficulties as a team. That’s why we’re very happy to have won.” Russian head coach Daniele Bagnoli added: “I think our game wasn’t excellent but good enough. In some aspects of the game Italy were playing even better than us. But our secret was definitely our service.”
Poland started focused in the fifth set against Slovakia. Marcin Mozdzonek blocked for a 3:1 Polish lead, but the Slovakians didn’t let loose to bounce back turning around the score at 6:4. Both teams showed some brilliant offensive combinations at the net, and were quick in defense. Poland switched courts with a one-point lead at 8-7, but undid some good work with risky serves and imprecise attacks. Head coach Daniel Castellani called a timeout at 8-10, giving his boys some time to rearrange their game plan. It helped as Mozdzonek was on duty at the net some rallies later, 12-10 Poland. But the match was not yet over, 13-13, then 14-14. After 104 minutes, the Poles seized their second match ball with Piotr Gruszka hammering the ball in the Slovakian block and from there out of bounds. It was the fifth Polish victory in a row, whilst the unlucky Slovakians lost their third game in tiebreak. Polish captain and setter Pawel Zaugummy explained: “The Slovakians played very well today; we didn’t manage to stop them at the net.” “There were many ups and downs in this match”, said head coach Castellani. “The last two games, we were more nervous as usually, but we still stayed focused. I’m very happy that we made it to the semifinals.”
In the top game of Pool F in Istanbul, the Netherlands tried to seize their last chance for a semifinal spot. But even when the Dutch played on a high level, the Bulgarians proved too strong today. After a 1-0 set lead for Bulgaria, the “Oranjes” started to play better, taking command in the second set at 8-3 and 16-13. Nevertheless, the Bulgarians fought back bravely to overpower their opponents in the end (26-24). The Dutch continued to put a lot of pressure on the Bulgarian defense in the third period. Led by Robert Horstink (20 points), the Netherlands closed out the third set in their favor. However, it was not enough. The team of head coach Silvano Prandi kept cool in the hot moments of set No. 4, when both teams went from 22-22 to 26-26 to finally admit another Bulgarian victory (28-26). Bulgarian’s captain Vladimir Nikolov: “I’m very happy. Today was our most difficult game, because we knew we would go forward. The pressure was huge. Also the Dutch team played very well, their reception and defence worked very well.” Bulgarian head coach Silvano Prandi added: “It was an important victory for us; we deserve to qualify for the semifinals. It’s like a dream.”
In the most important duel in Pool E, France defeated Greece 3:1 Wednesday night in Izmir. The French controlled the game during the first, third and fourth set, whilst the Greeks had their best moments in the second period. Thus, France advance to the top favorites for the last semifinal spot in Pool E, but possibly need another victory Thursday against Spain to make their dreams come true.
In the evening session in Istanbul, Serbia overran Finland in straight sets.
When Max Günthör blocked for a 25-20 German set win in the fourth set against 2007 defending champions Spain, the Germans experienced their second victory in a row in the Playoff Pool E. However, the German winning streak presumably started too late, as they initiated the Playoff Round with the minimum of points. Anyway, their performance today raises the hopes for a bright future with some young talents flying high. Spanish head coach Julio Velasco tried to neutralize German star Jochen Schöps as well as Björn Andrae from the beginning, consequently other German players as captain Robert Kromm (10 points), György Grozer (12) and second setter Simon Tischer assumed their responsibilities. For the Spaniards, the 2009 CEV Men’s Championships will certainly not be a success story. Until today, the Spanish team just overcame Slovenia as well as Slovakia, whilst they lost against Greece, Poland and Germany. “We didn’t play as a team”, said Velasco at the press conference.
Italy led 20-13 in the first set against Pool F leader Russia, but didn’t close it out (23-25). “We started very well today, but as always, we made too many mistakes in the crucial phases of the game”, said Italian head coach Andrea Anastasi after the match. The Italians did some good work in the middle, but their power hitters as well as their reception were not up to the mark. On the other hand, the Russians didn’t need to extravagate to take their 5th victory in a row, thus qualifying for Saturday’s semifinals in Izmir. Russian captain Sergey Tetyukhin stated: “The first set was very difficult. We made too many mistakes. But we learned to overcome the difficulties as a team. That’s why we’re very happy to have won.” Russian head coach Daniele Bagnoli added: “I think our game wasn’t excellent but good enough. In some aspects of the game Italy were playing even better than us. But our secret was definitely our service.”
Poland started focused in the fifth set against Slovakia. Marcin Mozdzonek blocked for a 3:1 Polish lead, but the Slovakians didn’t let loose to bounce back turning around the score at 6:4. Both teams showed some brilliant offensive combinations at the net, and were quick in defense. Poland switched courts with a one-point lead at 8-7, but undid some good work with risky serves and imprecise attacks. Head coach Daniel Castellani called a timeout at 8-10, giving his boys some time to rearrange their game plan. It helped as Mozdzonek was on duty at the net some rallies later, 12-10 Poland. But the match was not yet over, 13-13, then 14-14. After 104 minutes, the Poles seized their second match ball with Piotr Gruszka hammering the ball in the Slovakian block and from there out of bounds. It was the fifth Polish victory in a row, whilst the unlucky Slovakians lost their third game in tiebreak. Polish captain and setter Pawel Zaugummy explained: “The Slovakians played very well today; we didn’t manage to stop them at the net.” “There were many ups and downs in this match”, said head coach Castellani. “The last two games, we were more nervous as usually, but we still stayed focused. I’m very happy that we made it to the semifinals.”
In the top game of Pool F in Istanbul, the Netherlands tried to seize their last chance for a semifinal spot. But even when the Dutch played on a high level, the Bulgarians proved too strong today. After a 1-0 set lead for Bulgaria, the “Oranjes” started to play better, taking command in the second set at 8-3 and 16-13. Nevertheless, the Bulgarians fought back bravely to overpower their opponents in the end (26-24). The Dutch continued to put a lot of pressure on the Bulgarian defense in the third period. Led by Robert Horstink (20 points), the Netherlands closed out the third set in their favor. However, it was not enough. The team of head coach Silvano Prandi kept cool in the hot moments of set No. 4, when both teams went from 22-22 to 26-26 to finally admit another Bulgarian victory (28-26). Bulgarian’s captain Vladimir Nikolov: “I’m very happy. Today was our most difficult game, because we knew we would go forward. The pressure was huge. Also the Dutch team played very well, their reception and defence worked very well.” Bulgarian head coach Silvano Prandi added: “It was an important victory for us; we deserve to qualify for the semifinals. It’s like a dream.”
In the most important duel in Pool E, France defeated Greece 3:1 Wednesday night in Izmir. The French controlled the game during the first, third and fourth set, whilst the Greeks had their best moments in the second period. Thus, France advance to the top favorites for the last semifinal spot in Pool E, but possibly need another victory Thursday against Spain to make their dreams come true.
In the evening session in Istanbul, Serbia overran Finland in straight sets.
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