Yesterday, the Ukrainian volleyball team delivered a strong performance against Croatia in the final match of the week in the European Golden League, played in the picturesque town of Zadar. Croatia, who has yet to secure a win, faced a 0-3 defeat (17-25, 21-25, 22-25) against the Ukrainian side that now tops Pool B with a perfect score of 12 points.
Despite lacking key players Sedlaček, Đirlić, and Šestan for the first three rounds, and then losing their setter, Petar Višić, Croatia managed to put up a fight. Ivan Zeljkovic stood out as the host’s best performer with 12 points.
The Ukrainians, however, dominated the match, affirming their lead in this year’s Golden League. The match’s top scorer Vasyl Tupchii (13 points), along with one of the world’s best outside hitters, Oleh Plotnytskyi (9 points), led Ukraine to a well-deserved victory.
Despite their challenging start, Croatia is guaranteed a spot in the Final Four as the host of the event.