Co-hosts off to promising start at #EuroVolleyU17W in Békéscsaba

If Georgia was responsible for the major sensation of the day over in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, the pool stage of #EuroVolleyU17W started promisingly for co-hosts Hungary in Békéscsaba. Shortly before the start of the actual continental championship, Hungary had lost four sets in a row to France in a sparring match but on Tuesday the local favourites managed to secure a 3-2 victory at the end of a fixture with many twists and turns where at times the hosts performed brilliantly.

Earlier in the day, Greece had caused a real sensation in the Pool II opening match as they beat the pre-favourites from Türkiye, to whom they had lost in straight sets a few months ago in the first round of qualifiers run by the Balkan Volleyball Association. Even though Türkiye fought back after losing the first set, the Greeks did not lose composure and secured a 3-1 victory.

The audience in Békéscsaba was spoiled, and they enjoyed an exciting matchup between Belgium and Germany, and this especially applied to the Hungarian-German superstar, György Grózer, who was supporting his young daughter, Leana, from the stands with much passion. Germany won the first set before Belgium responded swiftly by taking the next two. The fourth set was especially entertaining, with Germany drawing level before edging past their opponents in the subsequent tiebreak (16-14).

Later in the evening, Slovenia made things difficult for themselves by failing to capitalise on their early advantage, with Romania exploiting the situation to win the first set. Slovenia caught a flying start to the second set 11:0 (!), and they easily drew level in the match. The next set was exciting only up to the first twenty points, when Slovenia scored eight times in a row and pulled away from the Romanians, doing so with much confidence. The Slovenians started the fourth set with a great advantage, Romania managed to equalise halfway, but Dejan Pušnik’s team regrouped and eventually won the match 3-1.