Noliko MAASEIK-Arkas IZMIR
With 2’300 fans in attendance Noliko cruised past with the score of 3:2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 26-28, and 15-13) to stay atop of the table in the group with 11 points.
Arkas IZMIR went to the front in the first set (10:12 and 11:16) but Noliko did not want to let it go and fought back to 17 all. Arkas IZMIR eventually moved ahead once more (18:19 and 19:23) and could pocket the opening section of the game (21-25).
The second set started with the score remaining very close (5:6) but IZMIR gradually asserted its supremacy (5:9 and 9:13). Supported by the home audience, Noliko drew level at 14 all and after that both teams completed their next side-outs up to 19:19. Arkas broke away (20:23) but Noliko came back once more and finished it off with an ace (25-23).
Arkas IZMIR dictated the pace of the game in set 3 (4:8, 5:10) but Noliko pulled together for the 11 all with a series of six services by Hermans Egleskalns. With another impressive run, Noliko moved the score from 15:13 to 25-18 to go for the provisional 2:1.
The hosts played with great determination in set 4 (4:1, 8:6, 14:10) and maintained the lead up to 23:22 before IZMIR bounced back to call for the tie-break (26-28).
In the beginning of the final and deciding set, the score remained close before Noliko got up 10:7; Arkas stormed back once again (13 all) but it was Noliko that had the upper hand in the end (15-13) for the joy of the local audience. Egleskalns and Colombian Liberman Agamez top scored for Noliko and Arkas with 15 points apiece.
“Today we played much better than we did last week although not consistent enough. Our passing was not good and we still had too many ups and downs” said Canadian Glenn Hoag, head coach of Arkas, after the match.
“This is surely a team victory as all players included in the roster joined the game tonight and could testify their importance for the team. It is just wonderful to win the game in this splendid scenario with the crowd accompanying all of our actions very enthusiastically” said Noliko assistant coach Johan Verstappen.
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