Greece – Spain
The first set was a close run where both Spain and Greece showed a promising high-quality Volleyball. Greece had a close lead 16:14 at the second technical time-out, but it was Spain that got a first set ball at 24-23. Greece survived it and also had an opportunity to go up 1:0, before Spain eventually sealed the final 27-25.
In the second set Spain looked to have the upper hand leading 8:5 by the first technical time-out and 16:14 at the second. Greece took a needed time-out at 20:17 for the Spanish team, but could not turn the set around as Spain cruised to the final 25-20.
Greece could not really find the same recipe as in the first set and did not threat Spain for real in the third. Spain was in front 8:6 by the first technical time-out and 16:11 by the second. Increasing little by little their pace, the Spanish team won the third set 25-17 and the premiere of the tournament 3-0.
The win sends Spain to the top of Pool II with three points. Spanish head coach Ricardo Maldonado was happy with the win: “It was a good game to win. Greece has a good team, and the opening match is always difficult. This is a good start for us in this tournament. I think the team served very well and our blocks were alright as well. We found the right solutions to their attacks and that frustrated them. We have a strong group of players that play together as a team. We have been training together for a year and that can be the outcome today. I do not know how far we can go in the tournament yet, but of course I hope that we make it to the Playoffs in Poland”.
Spanish opposite Andres J. Villena scored an impressive haul of 28 points – 11 more than Greece’s leading scorer Georgios Tzioumakas – and was the best player of the match.
