Turkey
Pool A hosts Italy scored an easy win over Switzerland, 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-20), in Corigliano Calabro, to seize a direct spot in EuroVolley 2018. Neither side had a player in double digits. Lorenzo Cortesia delivered 9 points for “Azzurri”.
Finland needed to win only one set against Pool C hosts Czech Republic in the game of the last round in Žďár nad Sázavou to qualify for the main event. And they did it. Finland prevailed in the third set, so the victory of the 2017 CEV U19 European Championship winners Czechs was in vain – 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 25-27, 25-18). The outside hitter Oskari Keskinen topped Finland with 18 points.
Thanks to Louis Kunstmann, who tallied 17 points (7 aces, 2 kill blocks), Germany beat home side Romania by a 3-0, in Ploiești, to claim the top spot in Pool E, sending rivals to the additional qualifications.
In Pool G, in Humenné, Slovakia, the national team of Turkey scored a hard-fought win over the hosts, 3-2, to progress to the continental tournament. Adis Lagumdžija, who was the best player of Arkas Spor in 2017-2018 Efeler Ligi playoff finals against Halkbank, poured in 35 points (4 aces, 2 kill blocks) for the Turks. Haci Şahin added 5 kill blocks.
In a direct duel in Pool H for the spot in the final stage, Belarus beat the home side of Ukraine, in Cherkasy, by a 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-14) and advanced to the European champs. Uladzislau Davyskiba was the best scorer for the winning side with 14 points.
A day before, three teams secured their berth in EuroVolley 2018: Russia (Pool B), France (Pool D), and Portugal (Pool F). The latter has made, probably, the biggest upset in the qualifications so far as they snatched the spot in the European championship in front of Serbia at their home ground in Zrenjanin. Portugal prevailed over Serbia in four sets, partially 25-22, 25-12, 13-25, 31-29, sending the rivals to the third qualification round.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our European Championship 2018 / Male / U20 page.
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