Netherlands-Israel
After their stunning victory against Estonia on Saturday, Israel started out pretty well to resist to the Dutch storm mainly via Shon Faiga and Alexander Shafranovich. Israel went up 14:9, but after the second technical time-out the Netherlands changed gear and anchored by Wytze Kooistra they could pocket a close first set (25-23).
Even an ankle injury for Bas van Bemmelen could not stop the march of the Dutch train that easily controlled the operations in the second set. Israel was missing Genadi Sokolov who got injured against Estonia and looked tired after the long marathon from Saturday, so the Netherlands could assert their supremacy with Rob Bontje and after missing out on two match balls, it was Jelte Maan who finished it off in three sets.
“We have accomplished our mission and next week we have to beat Belgium in the second round robin to qualify for the European Championship” said Dutch head coach Edwin Benne.
