ECH M: Slovenia write history in Sofia, their first quarterfinal ever!

NED vs. SLO

Slovenia were first to go up on a scoreboard with two aces in a row from Vinčič 8-5. Van Bemmelen’s srong serves disturbed Slovenian reception and attack as well 9-9. Dutch team gifted several points in a row to the opponents, with Van Dijk and especially Kooy not playing on their level 13-10. Čebulj’s ace definitely marked the end of Dutch hopes in this set 15-11. After 22-15, Urnaut and Gašparini finished off their rivals 25-16.

In Set 2, the Dutch head coach Vermeulen changed three players from a starting lineup in order to shake up his protégés – instead of Abdel-Aziz, Van Dijk and Kooy he sent Van Harskamp, Klapwijk and Ter Horst on the court, but it didn’t help much. When triple block grounded Klapwijk, Slovenia took 8-4. The Netherlands finally found their play and equalized 11-11, forcing Giani to call a time-out. The only way for Slovenia to prevent Klapwijk from pouring spikes was to disturb Dutch recepetion with good serves. Kozamernik’s and Gašparini’s ace, with Gašparini’s attacking miniature gave 21-17 to Slovenia. The Dutch team surrendered to the rivals 25-19.

The Netherlands started Set 3 in a much better way, by getting 4-2 with good blocking. It didn’t last for too long as Slovenia responded similarly. With 3-0 run at 5-7, Slovenians went on the first TTO byleading 8-7. Until 20-all, it was mostly a point for point play, when Slovenia made 3-0 run by converting counter attacks through their middle blocker Kozamernik. They needed two match balls to win a duel 25-22.

Slovenia will play versus Poland in quarterfinals.

Mitja Gašparini and Tine Urnaut scored 13 point each in Slovenia. Niels Klapwijk had eight in the Dutch team.

FINAL ROUND / PLAY-OFF /

To see standings, results, stats, videos, etc, visit our EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 M page.

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