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So far, two different rules were used, which decided whether to play the golden set after the second game, but both had their serious downsides.
Now, the European Volleyball Confederation will experience a new rule, which seeks to found the happy medium between the previous two.
There was a rule in which golden set was played only when the total result of both games was equal – 3:3, 4:4, 5:5. The weakness of this option was that the last sets in the second leg were often pointless. For example, if one team won the first match 3-0, winning the first set in the second leg already gave him the pass to the next round and then the match became uninteresting for spectators.
The other rule, which was valid until the end of last season, was also far from perfect. In case of exchanged wins in two games a golden set was played regardless of the number of earned sets. This very strongly suppressed the meaning of the first leg and seriously puts in favour the host of the second leg. There were cases where some team sent seven or eight substitutes or a second squad for the first leg, putting everything for victory in the second leg and the golden game at home.
According to the new regulation, both teams will earn points like in the League standings. So, for 3-0 or 3-1 win – three points will be awarded, for a 3-2 win – two points and for 3-2 loss – one point.
Golden set will be played only when the two teams finish with equal points – three after two matches. If a team won the first match 3-0 or 3-1, in the second leg they would need two sets won to qualify without playing a golden set.
The new rule will obviously have weaknesses of both previous rules, but the idea of their negative impact can be minimized. Only its forthcoming in practice will show whether it will give the desired effect and remain for a long time in the Regulation of the European competitions.
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