Ukraine, unbeaten in Pool B, Croatia with first win
Recap
2021 Silver Golden #EuroLeagueM medallists, Ukraine remain unbeaten in Pool B in the League Round of this year’s edition of the CEV Volleyball European Golden League. After disappointing Croatia at the beginning of the competition, this time around it was the team of Spain who suffered a defeat by the Ukrainians. In the other match of the group, the hosts of the Final Four tournament, Croatia, congratulated themselves with their first victory, after a 3-0 against the rookies Denmark, who joined the Golden #EuroLeagueM family this season, after claiming the Silver #EuroLeagueM title back in 2021.
Ukraine 3-1 Spain (25-23, 31-29, 22-25, 25-22)
Overall, the team led by head coach Ugis Kristins delivered a slightly better performance in attack, finishing with as many as 57 winning spikes (to 54). However, the more successful play on the block turned out to be also a crucial component for the win, as team Ukraine recorded 14 kill blocks to nine. Both teams were rather equal on the serve (four to three aces).
The star of Ukraine, Oleh Plotnytskyi finished as a top scorer, with 22 points to his name, while for the hosts, Juan Manuel Gonzales scored 19.
The first set set the tone for an exciting match ahead. Although Ukraine started better, taking the lead at 10-7, the Spaniards showed potential stated breathing down their opponents’ necks. However, the greater experience by the Ukrainian players, and their decisive play in the important moments, allowed them to open in their favour. The precision shown in attack (14 to 12 winning spikes) and one more kill block secured the success in this part.
The Spanish team entered the court in the second set even more motivated. The players of head coach Miguel Rivera started better (3-1), but the Ukrainians quickly found their way back to even take the lead at 14-10. Nothing was over for the hosts, who tied again the game (20-20), but once again did Ukraine show better concentration after a real game of nerves. Oleh Plotnitskyi was the man of the hour after the 25th point, recording three spikes and one block. Ukraine claimed the set thanks to a successful block by Yurii Semeniuk, getting closer to the eventual victory. It was again the slightly better performance on attack (17 to 14) and two aces that helped the Ukrainian players to get ahead.
However, nothing was over for Spain, as they came back in the match, taking the third set. When it looked like that Ukraine were able to close the match in three sets (14-9), the Spanish players, showing great team effort, got closer, and turned the tables, finishing more successful on attack (60% to 50%).
The fourth set was a hard-fought one, too. Both teams showed their best (15-15), however, Ukraine were able to take the bull by the horns, and seize the victory.
Croatia 3-0 Denmark (25-20, 25-21, 25-20)
Croatia congratulated themselves with their first victory in this year’s Golden #EuroLeaguM, after disappointing the team of Denmark on Saturday. The players of Cedric Enard proved better on all elements and did not leave any doubts over who was the better team - 44 to 38 winning spikes, 11 to four blocks (Ivan Mihalj - best blocker with four), two to one aces.
Petar Dirlic became once again top scorer for his team, this team around, finishing with 17 points and 60% efficiency. Marko Sedlacek follows him with 14 (61%).
The teams battled it out right after the first referee whistle. Both Croatia and Denmark started following each other in the score, but thanks to successful actions by Marko Sedlacek on the spike after the 20th point, the Croatian players were able to build a point-difference that allowed them to open in their favour with no big problems. Croatia dominated on all counts in this set (14 to 14 winning spikes; four to two kill blocks; one ace), but there was still room for improvement on their own errors (seven).
The second set was an intriguing one until 15-14. After that, with Filip Sestan on the serve, the hosts could take control. Ivan Mihalj shined with some good performance on the block and on the spike. Тhe duo Marko Sedlacek&Petar Dirlic also showed good skills, and despite the attempts of Denmark to keep up with Croatia's rhythm, the guests weren’t able to do so.
Croatia had built a comfortable point difference (15-10) in the third set, when Denmark, led by Rasmus Breuning Nielsen seemed to have had entered the fighting mode. However, this wake-up call came way too late in the match for the Danish squad, and they lost at 0-3.