Slovenia-Czech Republic
The young Slovenians needed some time to start their engines. After their 2:3 loss versus Poland the day before, the team of head coach Joze Casar seemed anxious at the start of their important duel versus the Czech Republic. On the other hand, the young Czech talents promptly benefited from the weak Slovenian service reception. Six service winners and four block kills were the direct consequence of Slovenia’s instability.
Nevertheless, in the second and third set, the favorites from Slovenia restored order. They served much better, improved their combinations at the net and made less mistakes in attack. As a result, Slovenia literally outclassed their opponents in set two and three (25-13, 25-13). Even though the Czech Republic showed more resistance in the fourth set, their hopes for a win gradually vanished into thin air. Five consecutive points from 18-22 to 23-22 were finally not good enough to conclude. Katja Mihevic ended the set and match in Slovenia’s favor with a well-timed service winner.
The Czech Republic head coach Leos Chalupa: “We lost because we committed too many mistakes and our reception was not on an appropriate level. Our next match versus Greece will be our last chance to finish fourth in the pool.”
The Czech Republic captain Pavlina Simanova: “I am more than disappointed. We started quite well and won the first set but our reception failed during the second set.”
Slovenia head coach Joze Casar: “We played very well during the second and third set. We knew that the fourth set was going to be very hard to play, but we were focused on winning. Regarding tomorrow’s match against Italy there is nothing to lose. We played well versus Poland; we can do the same against Italy.”
Slovenia captain Eva Mori: “We lost versus the Czech Republic in December last year; consequently we really wanted to show them that we are the better team now. I’m happy we managed to pull through.”
To read more news from this competition click on Youth European Championship 2013 F.
