Eurovolley2023: winning debut for Germany and Serbia in Pool A. Estonia and Switzerland ko in straight sets. 3 points also for Slovenia and Finland in Pool B

After the debut two days ago in Bologna, in which titleholders Italy defeated Belgium in straight sets, Pool A, that continues in Perugia, resumed today with two games.
In the first one, Germany literally dominates Estonia in their CEV EuroVolley opener with a resounding 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:19).
In the previous competition, today’s winners faced a few challenges, notably struggling to find their rhythm, above all in this year’s Nations League, in which they ended at 11th place.

“The first set is always tricky in a tournament due to the emotional component,” said head coach Michal Winiarski.

| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

However, his Germany played a great volleyball, showing their serving pressure and exceptional skill in both reception and blocking.
This led to a decisive win in the second set and in the third too.
Looking at the statistics, Germany’s performance was stellar, as they scored eight successful blocks and served six aces, while also forcing the Estonians into numerous errors. Top scorers for the Germans were superstar Georg Grozer with 15 points through 61% in attack and 1 block, followed closely by Moritz Reichert who also contributed with 14 points through 63% in attack and 2 winning blocks.

On the same Pool, in the evening, Serbia down the modest Switzerland with the same result, 0-3 (19:25, 16:25, 19:25), although the rivals try to stay in the game in several occasions. Pavle Peric was the most prolific player of the game with 15 points through 68% in attack and 2 aces, while no players on the other side of the net reached a double digit.

| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

In Pool B in Varna, Bulgaria, Slovenia kicks off European Championship with a good victory over ukraine.
Aiming to defend their consecutive silver medals from the previous two editions of the competition, the winners managed to win a resilient Ukraine side with a 3-1 (23:25, 25:22, 25:20, 25:20) win in their opening.
Ukraine, who had previously troubled the same rivals in the quarterfinals of last year’s World Championship, showed they were not to be taken lightly, as they secured the first set 25:23 and put up a hard fight also in the second one.
However, Slovenia came back strongly, winning the subsequent sets to celebrate a well-deserved victory.
Leading the charge were Rok Možić, who scored 18 points through 59% in attack, and Alen Pajenk, who also contributed with 14 points, an impressive 75% in attack (7/9), 5 winning blocks and 2 aces. Klemen Čebulj also played a crucial role with 13 points.
On the losing side, Vasyl Tupchii stood out with 23 points including 4 winning blocks and 2 aces.

In other Pool B action, Finland defeated Croatia with a clear 3-0 with set scores of 25:19, 25:19, and 25:22 with a good performance in attack: 65% to 49% of the rivals.

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🏐| CEV EUROVOLLEY 2023 | All results of August 30

👉🏼 POOL A | Pala Barton | Perugia 🇮🇹

• 18.00 (Local Time) | Germany – Estonia 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:19)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

• 21.00 (Local Time) | Switzerland – Serbia 0-3 (19:25, 16:25, 19:25)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

👉🏼 POOL B | Palace of Culture and Sports | Varna 🇧🇬

• 17.30 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Ukraine 3-1 (23:25, 25:22, 25:20, 25:20)

• 20.30 (Local Time) | Finland – Croatia 3-0 (25:19, 25:19, 25:22)

POOL C | Boris Trajkovski | Skopje 🇲🇰
• 20.00 (Local Time) | North Macedonia – Denmark 3-1 (22:25, 25:22, 25:19, 25:22)

POOL D | Shlomo Group Arena | Tel Aviv-Yafo 🇮🇱
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – France 0-3 (20:25, 28:30, 25:27)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Romania – Portugal 0-3 (19:25, 18:25, 23:25)

🏐| NEXT GAMES | Thursday, August 31, 2023