Finland-Czech Republic
After a close start Finland created a small gap and went to the first technical break leading 8:4. The distance was further extended through the second obligatory time-out to 16:11, and by the end of the first set the Finns had spread the margin to 7 points (25-18).
In the second set, Finland got off to an early lead (8:3), but the persistent Czech team slowly but surely managed to close the gap to just one point of difference (20:21). However, Finland did not want to let this one slip away, and with four quick points they wrapped it up at 25-20 to double the lead in sets (2:0).
In the third set Finland started in the same manner as in the previous one getting away to an 8:3 lead before the first technical time-out. The Finns routinely brought this game to an end at 25-19. However, their libero, Lauri Kerminen, had a misfortune injuring his ankle at 22:17, but luckily the nature of his injury is not severe.
Pekka Lahtinen, head coach of Finland, said: “I am satisfied, because this was our best match of the tournament. The whole team showed a pretty high level of Volleyball throughout the match. The Czechs were too tired in this game, especially their opposite, so they did not pose a very big threat to us. It is nice to end the tournament in this way”.
Mauri Kurppa, captain of Finland: “Today we played our best attacking game, we were aggressive and we controlled the match. It is a well-deserved victory”.
Petr Juda, head coach of the Czech Republic: “We were very bad in attack, and that was the key of this match. You cannot play defending the whole time”.
Adam Zajicek, captain of the Czech Republic: “We prepared well for this match. I don’t know what happened. It is a pity we did not win, and I am very sorry for that. However, Finland was better in all aspects of the game, and they won fair and square”.
To read more news from this competition click on 2013 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship – European Qualification.
