Grbavica hammers 23 towards Croatia's first win, Spain upset Golden #EuroLeagueW rookies
Recap
The action in the CEV Volleyball European Golden League 2022 - Women has been continued on Saturday with as many as three exciting encounters. In the first match of the day, Croatia and Slovakia locked horns in Pool B in Varazdin. The home side and runners-up of the 2021 edition successfully bounced back after the opening loss on Wednesday and proved better than Slovakia after 87 minutes of the game, earning a straight set win, mainly thanks to excellent work on block (13-2) and the outstanding performance of 20-year-old Mika Grbavica who scored 23 points. Later, in Tuzla, the winners of the 2021 European Silver League from Bosnia and Herzegovina, inaugurated their maiden Golden #EuroLeagueW campaign with the game against Spain. The visiting team proved better after four thrilling sets to earn their first win in Pool A. Once in Budapest, Hunagry and Romania delivered a nail-biting battle . The guest side prevailed in five-set thriller to go back winning track in Pool C.
The runners-up of the 2021 edition were the leading side during most of the opening set, even if they struggled a lot in receptions - only 18% in this component (54% on the side of Slovakia). The visiting team tried to chase the score, and they eventually did in the middle of the set, taking even 16-14 lead, but it was a cold shower for the host. Croatia, who dominated on the block (5-1) started their impressive run, winning this set 25-19. Bozana Butigan became a leader of the team with six points to her name, including three winning blocks, one point less scored Mika Grbavica.
The hosts kept the momentum, taking an early 8-4 lead. The team under the guidance of the coach Ferhat Akbas visible improved reception (44%) and remained dominant on block, scoring five points in this element again, with solid performance also in attack. They actually didn't have to look back keeping the score safe until the end of the second part.
However, Slovakia was not thinking about giving up and the third set looked completely different than previous. The team around coach Masek started it with new energy and perfect receptions (62%). They took a 4-1 lead and stayed ahead by three points up until 14-14, when Croatia managed to to tie. It didn't take long to the hosts to take up the lead, reaching a maximumum of four points at 20-16, mainly thanks to the great efforts of Mika Grbavica who scored unbelievable 12 points in that set. But Slovakia had on their side, also impressing, Karin Sunderlikova, who helped her team to equal the score at 24-24. Both sides showed great volleybal, the visiting side denied the first match point, but didn't manage to use any of their three chances to win the set. Eventually, a lucky ace from Laura Milos gave Croatia their first win in this campaign.
Obviously, it was Mika Grbavica, who topped the scorers chart with an outstanding 23 points and 50% success in attack. On Slovakia's side Sunderlikova tallied 12 points.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Spain (Pool A)
The winners of the 2021 European Silver League, Bosnia and Herzegovina, inaugurated their maiden Golden #EuroLeagueW performance with a home match against Spain, who on Wednesday lost to France. The encounter at SKPC Mejdan TUZLA turned into a real battle. Bosnia and Herzegovina showed no rookie's jitters, starting the match at 4-2. Although Spain constantly chased the score, they were able to rebuild their advantage until the middle of the set. Then, it was Spain staying ahead with a solid performance on block (4-1), but Stevan Ljubicic's team, powered by Dajana Boskovic and Iman Isanovic (both scored six points apiece) took the lead again at the decisive moment 24-23. Lucia Prol's spike made Spain denying first set point (7 points in the opener), once the teams' efforts with the final touch from Raquel Montoro closed the opener in favour of the visiting team.
The second set had a very similar course of action. Despite the fact that Spain had huge problems with reception (only 19% in this component), they managed to make it up with other skills. They were leading in the decisive side of the set 21-17, but the hosts again found a way to move closer on the scoreboard. Dajana Boskovic, scoring as many as nine points, was the leader of the team. However, again the team under the guidance of coach Pascual Sauring proved better in crucial moments to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Sparked by the home crowd, Bosnia and Herzegovina fought like a lion to stay in the match. The third set turned into the most competitive and intense part. Neither team was able to gain a bigger advantage, as both were extremely focused. The breakpoint came when the hosts took a 22-20 lead. Spain committed a few mistakes that were used by Bosnia to win that part after brilliant play from setter Milana Bozic.
The visiting team, powered by Lucia Varela Gomez (7 points and 83% in attack), was determined to close the match in the fourth set. Although they struggled in reception, it didn't prevent them from scoring points. The home team tried to fight back and they actually equaled the score at 22-22, but with a spike from Raquel Lazaro, Spain used the first opportunity to seal their first victory in this edition of the Golden League.
Dajana Boskovic was the best scorer of the match with 23 points, being followed by Spanish duo Lucia Varela Gomez and Raquel Montoro who contributed with 18 points apiece.
The match at Tüskecsarnok Sporthall BUDAPEST was the first game for Hungary in Pool C of the CEV Volleyball European Golden League 2022 - Women. The hosts took on Romania, for whom was already the third match (the visiting team recorded one loss and a defeat against Ukraine in previous encounters). Both sides were extremely eager to fight hard, producing a five-set thriller. Even though two Hungarian players - Kinga Szucs (25 points) and Anett Nemeth (22) - topped the scorers chart, Romania proved slightly better in all components through the match. Although they were down 1-2, they managed to bounce back to win the game in a tie-break.
