Belgium-Portugal
Belgium’s outside hitter Celine Van Gestel top scored in the match with 17 points as the girls mentored by head coach Julien Van de Vyver outclassed their opponents in every single fundamental (9 block kills vs. 3, 12 aces vs. only three for Portugal).
Belgium started out with a very good pace dominating the scene in the first set for a terrific and speedy 25-8.
The score was kept tight in the second set up to 10:9 for Belgium but after that the eventual winners accelerated their pace (16:10) and could seal the deal at 25-14.
In set 3 Portugal lacked focus and determination, so Belgium rapidly broke away in the score (18:7) and could pocket their third win in the tournament (25-12) to finish third in the standings.
“The team spent only 10 days together before this tournament because many girls were busy with the Playoffs of the national league. As we have been working together for such a short period of time and we had to adjust many things, I am still proud with what we did here in Subotica. I have seen that even the youngest members of the group can play as good as those that have got more experience on the international stage and this is very good. I am satisfied because we have done a good job here” Belgium’s head coach Julien Van de Vyver said.
“We played a good match and I am happy with the way we have ended this tournament, with a win in straight sets” team captain Sarah Coppens added. “The opponent wasn’t that strong but it is a good feeling to finish the tournament this way”.
“This tournament was a great experience and I am proud to be the captain of such a young group” Portugal’s team leader Ana Martins commented. “Most of the girls are eligible to play in the junior division also next year and I hope we’ll be playing better by then because we have taken our good lessons from this competition”.
To read more news from this competition click on 2013 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship – European Qualification.
Find the full stats from this game on Statistics.
