Czechia, France victorious in the Golden #EuroLeagueW
Recap
France and Czechia congratulated themselves with victories in the two Wednesday matches in CEV Volleyball European Golden League 2022 - Women.
After beating neighborhood Spain at the start of the competition in Pool A, the French did their job right again, this time around seizing a 3-1 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina (who remain winless).
Earlier that day, Czechia grabbed a 3-1 victory against Slovakia, after a hard-fought and much interesting fixture in Nitra.
Thanks to the victories, both France and Czech Republic top the charts in the current standings in their respective pools.
Full standings and schedule here.
France 3 - 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Although they had some minor problems at times, overall, France dominated on the court in their match against 2021 Silver League winners, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Statistically, the French were better in attack (finishing with 52 winning spikes, compared to 44 by Bosnia and Herzegovina), and made it difficult for the opponents’ reception with as many as 11 aces (to six). The visiting side also had problems with their own errors, allowing France to record 21 points from this element.
The hosts took control over what was happening on the court in the first minutes of the second set as well. Playing with enthusiasm, and with Amelie Rotar on the serve, the French girls were leading at 11-4. Even though Dajana Boskovic and Ajla Paradzik were giving it their best on the block, France seemed to be flying on the court (18-12). However, they let some momentous lack of concentration give inspiration to their opponents (23-19), but in the end showed better class and closed in their favour. The more successful play on attack (14 winning spikes to 10) and on the serving line (four aces to one) were crucial for the set-win.
Nothing was over for team Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though they were behind in the score, and the French were almost tasting the sweet victory after a six-point-run (12-6), led by Boskovic and Iman Isanovic, the guests equalised at 14-14, and took the initiative. The hosts fought hard to get back on their feet (20-20), the Bosnian players seized their chances and came back in the match. This time around, it was the better efectiveness on the winning spikes (44% to 30%), delivered by the set-winners that helped them to emerge victorious.
Determined not to let any other surprises, the French proved better in the fourth, decing set. They took the lead (8-2) in the beginning and never looked back, despite Bosnia’s efforts to get closer. Slightly better in attack (13 to 11), and equal on the block (two, each team), it turned out that the four aces by France in this set were the key to the eventual success.
Slovakia met on home soil the current pool B leaders - the team of Czech Repuplic, who, in the previous leg, recorded a win over last year’s runner-ups from Croatia, disappointing them at 3-0. The players, guided by Michal Macek, on the other hand, lost at 0-3 against the Croatian players in Leg 2.
In hard-fought four sets on Wednesday, the 2019 trophy winners and 2021 F4 participants, the Czech Republic congratulated themselves with the victory.
As many as 13 kill blocks (to five) sealed the deal for the guests, as on attack (44 winning spikes) they were outperformed by Slovakia who finished with 49.
23 points by top scorer, Karin Sunderlikova weren't enough for the hosts to finish on a positive note. For the winners, Verona Trnkova topped the charts with 17 points to her name.
The first set turned out to be a real Volleyball battle on the court. The Slovak players took the initiative, leading with two points (11-9), but the team around head coach Ioannis Athanasopoulos quickly found the proper answer (14-11 in their favour after good performance on both attack and blocking). However, nothing was over for the hosts, who got closer at 15-16. Veronika Trnkova (seven points in these moments) amazed then on the serving line, taking things into her hands, and with as many as four consecutive aces stole the show. Despite the Slovaks attempts to get back on track, and Czechia emerged victorious. Precisely the four aces by Trnkova turned out to be Czechia’s trump card in this set, as on the other components, the teams delivered an equal performance - nine winning spikes each, nine errors each.
Inspired, the guests stormed to a 6-2 lead in the beginning of the second set. Controlling the game, they established their rhythm (14-9), but it was too early yet for Slovakia to not try their best. And so they did, putting Czechia in a situation where they had their backs to the wall (20-18). A good performance by Nina Bolegdovicova on the serve caused problems in the Czech reception, but Magdalena Jehlarova on the block (three successful actions in this element after the 20th point) gave power to the vising side, and they made an important step towards the victory. As many as three aces (to none) by the Slovak team weren’t enough in this set, as the five kill blocks by Czechia played a crucial role for the final outcome.
Empowered on the serve, Slovakia, led by Karin Sunderlikova, did again make it difficult for their opponents in the beginning of the third set (6-2). The hosts kept the momentum (11-4), and even though Czechia had a wake-up call (15-15, 17-17), after a close call, the hosts tied the set score. The players of Athanasopoulos finished in the set with 28% in attack, but it wasn’t this their main problem on the court in these moments, as more errors affected the game (31%).
Czechia started much better in the fourth set, but with the set unfolding, lost track and let heir opponents tie at 15-15. Struggling to find a way to enjoy again the game, the guests relied on Trnkova “to light the fire” again. She did so with two successful attacks, and in the end, her team seized the win.