Turkey
In today’s opening match of Pool I, Turkey overcame Belgium 3:1 (25-19, 25-20, 25-27, 25-17). The home team needed some time to start its engines with Belgium experiencing the better start into the match (5-2). However, at the first technical timeout, Turkey had turned the tables to make it 8-6 in their favour. There was not much to do for the Belgian team against the solid Turkish passing and powerful serves. With a missile from back row, Turkish captain Damla Cakiroglu ended the first period 25-19. In the second set, Julien van de Vyver’s squad improved its offensive game, giving the host less opportunities for successful blocking. However, Turkey granted their adversaries only one point during money time to move the scoreboard quickly from 21-19 to 25-20. Birthe Wittock and Celine van Gestel had booked 16 points for Belgium in the first two sets, but it was not good enough to stop the compact Turkish game. The local heroines temporary lost focus during the third set (25-27) and in the beginning of the fourth period (1-5), but were rapidly back on track for the remaining playing time. At the second technical timeout in set 4, Turkey already led by six points. Asli Kalac closed it out for the home squad (25-17) to delight their faithful fans for the first time at 2012 CEV Junior Volleyball European Championship – Women.
Turkey coach Gökhan Edman: “It’s was important to win our first match. We made some mistakes, but I’m sure we’ll improve our game in the next days.”
Belgium coach Julien van de Vyver: “Turkey is a very experienced team. We had a chance to go to a fifth set with a good start at the beginning of the fourth period, but finally Turkey proved too strong. Congratulations.”
