#EuroVolleyU18W Pool II gets off to thrilling start

The opening day of #EuroVolleyU18W Pool II action delivered exactly what one would hope for from a European Championship. Drama, comebacks and standout individual performances, as eight nations took to the court for the first time in Šiauliai. 

In the first match, Hungary got their campaign off to a strong start, overturning an early setback to see off Greece 3-1. Greece took the opening set 25-23, but Hungary responded immediately, taking the next three 25-19, 26-24 and 25-17 to close the match. Hungary’s attack was the difference-maker throughout, finding a higher hitting efficiency than their opponents across the match (37 vs 30%). 

If the first game set the tone, match two turned the temperature all the way up. Germany came through a five-set battle against Bulgaria, but not before Bulgaria pushed the match to the brink. With Germany two sets to one up, Bulgaria dug in to force a nail-biting fourth set, eventually closing it out 32-30 to send the match to a decider. Germany, though, had the final word, closing the tie-breaker 15-12 to secure the win. Germany’s edge came down to consistency in passing and attack when it mattered most, which proved decisive. The atmosphere from both benches was a highlight in itself, with players from both sides cheering every point to lift their teammates through the toughest stretches of the match. Player spotlight for Bozhidara Ivanova from Team Bulgaria, who carried her team’s attack with a remarkable 52% hitting efficiency. Even in defeat, her performance was one of the individual highlights of Day 1. 

The host nation took the court to a roaring reception, with many fans in the arena to cheer Lithuania through their first match on home soil. France proved a formidable opponent, closing out the match in straight sets (25-12, 25-14, 25-13), but it was the atmosphere and the fight from the Lithuanian side that defined the evening. Set after set, the crowd stayed on their feet, and the players matched that energy with grit throughout. France’s attack was fierce, courtesy of Elena Sanchez, who finished the match with a stunning 75% hitting efficiency and 17 points.
  
The Netherlands rounded out Day 1 with a clean straight-sets win over Finland (25-17, 25-16, 25-19), closing out the match with control from start to finish. Supporters from both nations were on hand in the arena to see the match live, adding to the day’s lively atmosphere as Pool II wrapped up its opening round. Dutch captain Yasmine Raatjes led from the front with an impressive all-round performance, earning her the nomination for Rising Star of the Match for the Netherlands.