Serbia – Slovakia
Serbia got control of the game right from the start and gradually widened its lead to bring it home at 25-20 in the first set. The hosts dictated the pace of the game also in the second set going up 8:4 and 16:10 and could keep that margin up to the very end (25-19). In set 3 Serbia got off to a 5:2 lead and did not slow down (16:11); however, right after the second technical time-out Slovakia attempted a comeback and could make it 17:15 prompting a Serbian time-out. The guys around head coach Sinisa Reljic responded well, got back control of the game (22:18) but Slovakia fought back once more cutting the gap to only one point (23:22). The guests even leveled the count at 23 all and had a set point before Aleksandar Okolic restored the balance for the home side at 24:24. After missing out on a first match ball, Serbia finished it off at 27-25 with a block by Cedomir Stankovic for the final 3:0.
Siniša Reljić, head coach of Serbia, said: “I am happy with the final score, but not so much with our performance. We were pretty reckless in some moments and we can’t play like this in the upcoming matches because we will be punished severely by our next opponents.“
Aleksa Brdjovic, Serbia’s setter, added: “I am not satisfied with our performance today. But I can understand it. We have some new players joining the team, and we need time to adjust. I am sure we will improve in the following matches.“
Miroslav Palgut, head coach of Slovakia: “I am satisfied because we played well against such a strong team. It is a pity we did not take at least one set, but Serbia was too good.“
Adam Prielozny, captain of Slovakia: “We fought well today. At the beginning we were a little bit afraid, and when we started to be more relaxed it was 2:0 to Serbia, and too late to recover. But we showed some of our potential, and think we will play even better in the upcoming matches.“
To read more news from this competition click on 2013 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship – European Qualification.
