Eurovolley2023: winning debut for The Netherlands and Poland in Pool C. 3 points for France and 2 for Israel in Pool D

After the opener played yesterday, Pool C in Skopje, North Macedonia, continued today with two games.
In the first one, although Montenegro started better, The Netherlands secured a 0-3 (19:25, 18:25, 22:25) win, with 14 points from bomber Nimir Abdel-Aziz, top scorer of the match, and 12 by middle blocker Fabian Plak, with 78% in attack and 2 winning blocks.
Winning debut also for Poland who, as predicted, defeat Czech Republic with the same result (25:17, 25:20, 25:20) and without major problems.
The winners were better in all element, but above all in blocking, as they scored 14 points from this element in just three sets (6 by top scorer Lukasz Kaczmarek, with a total of 14 points through 53%, the same number of Lukas Vašina on the other side of the net).
Moreover, Poland played without some big names, for example Bartosz Kurek, entered only in a couple of occasions, and with Wilfredo Leon on the bench.

In Pool D, France secured another win. Led by head coach Andrea Giani, after a clear 3-0 victory over Türkiye in the opening match, the reigning Olympic champions followed it up with a 3-1 (25:21, 25:27, 25:19, 25:15) win against a resilient Portugal in Tel Aviv, Israel.
France’s performance was very strong across all elements of the game, outclassing Portugal in winning spikes (55 to 41), kill blocks (16 to 7), and aces (6 to 0).
However, despite this domination looking at numbers, they faced a temporary black out in the second set, which they lost 25-27 due to some unforced errors.
Timothée Carle was devisive, making a mid-second-set entry and ending the match as the top scorer with 19 points through a great 76% offensive efficiency, and he was well-supported by Nicolas Le Goff, who scored 12 points, including 8 attacks, 3 blocks, and an ace.
The win was crucial for France as they secured another three points in the pool, bringing their total to six.
After a rest day France will face the host country Israel, in their next match on Saturday.

In the second encounter of Pool D hosted by Israel, the home team maintained their streak of very positive performances.
Yet again, in a thrilling match that has been concluded in five sets, they emerged victorious against Romania, 2-3 (25:27, 25:12, 25:21, 22:25, 8:15).
The winners were decisive in blocking, putting down 15 points in this element, 7 by a great Genadi Sokolov (11 points and 2 aces, but with only 25% in attack!) and 5 from top scorer Ido David (21 points and 40% in attack).

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🏐| CEV EUROVOLLEY 2023 | All results of August 31

POOL B | Palace of Culture and Sports | Varna 🇧🇬
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Ukraine – Croatia 2-3 (25:17, 22:25, 25:20, 15:25, 13:15)
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Finland – Bulgaria 1-3 (26:28, 25:27, 25:15, 16:25)

👉🏼 POOL C | Boris Trajkovski | Skopje 🇲🇰

• 17.00 (Local Time) | Montenegro – The Netherlands 0-3 (19:25, 18:25, 22:25)