Latvia-vs-Slovakia
Pool A:
Slovakia enjoyed their first victory in this year’s European Golden League by beating Latvia away in a dramatic encounter in Riga: 3-2 (25-21, 27-25, 24-26, 25-16, 19-17). Top performers: Latvia – Atvars Ozoliņš 22 points; Slovakia – Filip Gavenda 20 points, Peter Ondrovič 6 kill blocks.
In the same pool, Turkey downed Belgium in four sets on the road in Brussels to get a perfect score after two games played. Top performers: Belgium – Lou Kindt 25 points; Turkey – Adis Lagumdžija 22 points, Çağatay Durmaz 4 kill blocks, Burak Mert 93% positive reception (15 digs, 40 excellent).
Spain-vs-Netherlands
Pool B:
Croatia took advantage of playing at home in Varaždin to win their first match in the tournament, coming back from a set down against Estonia and being especially inspired in the third set: 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21). Estonia remained winless. Top performers: Croatia – Leo Andrić 24 points (4 aces), Filip Šestan 75% positive reception (20 digs, 1 error, 60% excellent); Estonia – Kristo Kollo 16 points.
Each pool has one team with a perfect record after two games. In Pool B, that team is the Netherlands who prevailed over Spain in front of their crowd in Soria and only after five sets. Top performers: Spain – Andrés Villena 19 points, Alejandro Vigil 4 aces; Netherlands – Nimir Abdel-Aziz 27 points, Thijs ter Horst 4 aces and 74% excellent attack (17/23, 1 error, blocked once), Fabian Plak 4 aces.
Pool C:
Despite being two sets down against Ukraine at home in Brno, the Czech Republic emerged victorious from this duel to gain their first victory in the tournament: 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13). Top performers: Czech Republic – Jan Hadrava 16 points and 74% excellent attack (14/19, blocked once); Ukraine – Volodymyr Tevkun 17 points, Maksym Drozd 5 kill blocks.
Belarus remained unbeaten as they swept Finland on home ground in Minsk. Top performers: Belarus – Andrei Radziuk 14 points, Siarhei Busel 4 kill blocks; Finland – Samuli Kaislasalo 22 points.
2019 CEV Volleyball European Golden League – Men, Day 2:
Pool A:
Latvia – Slovakia 2-3 (21-25, 25-27, 26-24, 16-25, 17-19)
Belgium – Turkey 1-3 (25-22, 14-25, 22-25, 21-25)
Pool B:
Croatia – Estonia 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 25-13, 25-21)
Spain – Netherlands 2-3 (16-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 12-15)
Pool C:
Belarus – Finland 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-20)
Czech Republic – Ukraine 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13)
