Friso SNEEK refuses to throw in the towel after European Cup defeat

Dutch national champions Friso SNEEK lost in the first round of the CEV Challenge Cup 8th Finals in four sets to ATHENS ASP Thetis, who left the Sneker Sporthal in high spirits following their 3-1 victory. However, Erik Reitsma’s team was anything but dejected, because the loss offers enough perspective to still advance to the next round via a Golden Set.

Sufficient hope 

Of course, the question was how strong the number seven from the latest edition of the Hellenic Volleyball League would compare to the Dutch national champion and there was certainly talk of a balance. As the fans would notice, the Sneker team put up much of a fight especially in the third and fourth sets. For the return in Greece, they will have to step it up a notch, as trainer/coach Erik Reitsma also indicated afterwards: 

Rixt van der Wal on a roll 

It was clear that there were chances for Friso SNEEK but due to the large number of service errors the guests could stay in the front. The home team also looked a bit tame at times and apparently showed too much respect for the opponent. The guests were also good defensively and if you have Rica Maase in the ranks, then you have a real killer in the house. It remained exciting in the initial set until a few points difference and with two attacks out of bounds, the Greeks achieved a 25-20 set win. In the second set, Rixt van der Wal got on a roll, but Themis remained composed and cool and despite a few errors, they had the situation well under control. Via 17-12 and 21-15, it eventually became 25-18 and the sight of a 0-3 loss was looming. 

Rica Maase 

Everyone could look at the German Rica Maase with admiring glances. The number 16 of the visitors clearly made the difference and was of cardinal importance in the fourth set in attacking terms. With no less than 23 points she took her team into haven for the return match in Piraeus.

Strong-playing Friso SNEEK  

In the third set, however, a strong-playing Friso SNEEK found the way up with a few substitutions - Fleur Wiersma, Maaike Heilig and Madison Weg joined in the team - and with 25-17 Friso was back in the game. Anniek Siebring brought the necessary contribution from the service line and was at the forefront of the battle. 

Exciting final phase 

In the final set, the Greeks picked up the thread again quite quickly and steadily built up a small lead. They also gathered points with a few effective attacks from their middle blockers and at 20-15 the first spectators were already getting a bit restless as to whether they should head for the exit. Then an extremely exciting final phase developed with van der Wal delivering with her serve and Friso came back to 22-23. Maase took the next point for Thetis and Siebring kept the hope alive for a fifth set but a service error on match point sealed the fate of the Snekers.

Perspective 

A 1-3 defeat but one with enough solace to pull off a stunt in Athens. A 3-0 or 3-1 will be enough to go for a Golden Set. Anniek Siebring: “We scored a seven today but next week we will have to be at an 8.5.” The confidence is there and if that translates into a great result, things will be quite spooky in the Greek capital.