Volleyball

Belgium W and Croatia M remain unbeaten after the end of the EuroLeague League Round

Recap

Article Sun, Jun 2 2024
Author: Victoria Georgieva

Belgium Women and Croatia Men did their job right on the last day of the League Round matches of this year’s edition of the Golden #EuroLeague. 

The Yellow Tigers clinched yet another win (six out of six) and finish topping the charts before the Final Four at the Golden #EuroLeagueE that will take place in Ostrava (Czechia) on June 15-16. The  players of head coach Kris Vansnick outplayed at 3-1 Ukraine, thus eliminating them from the final tournament. In Ostrava, Belgium will face the teams of the hosts, Romania and Sweden. Full women’s standing here.

On the men’s side of the tournament, Croatia also emerged victorious, recording a sixth victory in as many games, this time around against Spain (3-0) in front of home crowds in Osijek. Croatia will host the Final Four of the Golden #EuroLeagueM in the same town - the Croats are already expecting their rivals on the road to the trophy: Czechia, Ukraine and Estonia. Full men’s standing here.

Belgium team huddle

Ukraine 1-3 Belgium 

It was a close call in the beginning of the first set (8-10), but the Belgians were able to establish their rhythm of play (17-13), eventually opening in their favour at 25-21. 

The two teams battled it out hard in the second set (8-8). Led by Oleksandra Milenko, the Ukrainians could take the leadership position (12-8). However, Belgium reacted quickly (18-18). After a game of nerves, the players coached by Ivan Petkov tied the set score at 1-1, winning the second part at 28-26.

The Belgians dominated completely in the third set, getting closer to the eventual win at 25-18. However, nothing was over for the Ukrainian team, who fought hard in the fourth set. Despite their efforts, Belgium showed nerves of steel in the deciding moments, clinching the win after 25-23.

Great performance on the block helped the Belgian team in the Sunday game as they outperformed their opponent on this element with 19 kill blocks (to nine). They were also slightly better from the serving line: four to two aces. On attacking, the two teams delivered a rather equal game: 59 to 58 winning spikes for Ukraine. 

Pauline Martin of Belgium topped the charts with 20 points to her name (49% exc.in attack, two kill blocks). For Ukraine, Milenko finished with most points: 18 (34 exc.in attack, one kill block).

Croatia 3-0 Spain 

The beginning of the match was marked by some intense rallies with the two teams following each other in the score (8-7). In a game of cat-and-mouse (15-15), the hosts could seize their chances and opened in their favour at 27-25. 

The Spanish team tried to take the lead in the second set (15-13) but it was again the home team that prevailed, turning the tables (22-20) for the final 25-22 in this part.

Croatia celebrating a point

Spain did not lose their motivation, giving it their best in the third set as well. However, on the other side of the net, supported by their fans, the players of head coach Igor Juricic won on the mental “battlefield”, congratulating themselves with the victory after 25-23. 

Statistically, Croatia were the slightly better team on the different Volleyball components: 46 to 42 winning spikes, eight to six kill blocks, five to four aces.

Petar Dirlic was above all with 17 points to his name (55% exc. in attack, one kill block). For Spain, Augusto Renato Colito finished 13 points (57% exc. in attack, one kill block). 

#Volleyball