Hypo Tirol – INNSBRUCK Knack ROESELARE
“We are never happy with a loss and it is a pity that our hopes to advance to the next phase have been shattered. The team showed the right mentality going into this game and we definitely improved in comparison to our last matches. This performance is something to build on for our upcoming challenges and we have to move forward from now and not take any steps back” states head coach Stefan Chrtiansky right after the match.
Both teams started out with high concentration and focus, since it was a very deciding and important game for Hypo Tirol as well as for Knack ROESELARE. After VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN had lost to Zenit KAZAN in straight sets earlier today, the Belgians knew they needed just one point to secure their second place in the group while the Tyroleans were fighting for their last chance in Pool A. After losing the first set 23-25, Hypo Tirol came out strong and was able to dominate the second and third set, putting pressure from the serving line and via some efficient attacks. With 25-17 and 25-18 the hosting team was leading 2:1 and the fourth set showed high-level Volleyball with both teams fighting for this deciding set. At the end ROESELARE kept their level more consistent and was able to tie the game with a 25-21 in set 4.
In the fifth set ROESELARE caught the better start and was able to keep the lead till the end. 15-11 was the score at the end and this way the Belgians could pocket second place in the group even without having to wait for their last home match coming up next week with Zenit KAZAN.
Ronald Jimenez and Alexander Berger top scored for the home side with 23 and 22 points while Hendrik Tuerlinckx and Gertjan Claes paced Knack with 22 and 16 respectively.
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