Slovakia, the Netherlands take early lead in #EuroVolleyU19W qualifiers
The Netherlands opened proceedings at Vathy, capital of the island of Samos in the eastern Aegean, with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20) sweep of Slovenia for Pool I in Round 3 of the #EuroVolleyU19W qualifiers, with two spots at stake for the finals in Albania in September.
Led by Vera Mulder who scored 18 points, the Netherlands pounded Slovenia from the service line for 11 aces - 5 from Demi Korevaar alone.
"We knew from past experience we were going to have a difficult match against Slovenia as they play a good offensive game," said head coach of the Netherlands, Julien Van De Vyver after the game. "But today was a good serving day for us and we also claimed crucial sideout points to reach a very important win. We are not yet qualified, though, and the next two games, especially against Greece, are crucial."
Slovakia stunned hosts Greece with a heavy 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-23), pressing with their serving for 15 aces, as Karolina Fricova bagged a match-high 17 points with Lucia Herdova and Simona Jelinkova adding another 13 each.
Greece tried to react in the third set, closing in from 20-15 down to tie the score at 20-20 and send the partizan crowd at the packed Vathy Sports Hall into a frenzy. But it was too little, too late. Slovakia rallied for the next three points to go 23-20, and although Greece equalised again at 23-23, the visitors got the sideout and brought the game home with an ace by Jelinkova.
"We applied pressure with our serving and it worked," said Slovakia head coach Michal Matusov after the game. "Our players paid heed to the tactics that we had worked on and we managed to do it. I am proud of their appearance and I think both teams enjoyed the game with the great atmosphere by the fans."
