Eurovolley2023: Slovenia survives at tie break against a super Türkiye and progress to quarterfinals! Ukraine stuns an unrecognizable Portugal

2 min read

9 September 2023 Danijel90

After nail-biting Round of 16 clash, Slovenia have confirmed a spots in the quarterfinals of the 2023 CEV European Volleyball Championship.
In an electrifying match against Türkiye, they showcased their resilience, coming back from a 0-2 deficit to win the game 3-2.
Slovenia, who won Pool B in Varna, had an unpromising start, losing 25-20 in the first set and 25-22 in the second against the No.4 of Pool B in Israel.
However, their resilience saw them take the next three sets, 25-21, 25-23, and 15-13, marking their fifth straight quarter-final appearance.
Nothing to do for Türkiye, despite the 32 points (through 48% in attack) from Adis Lagumdžija and the 15 winning blocks against the only 4 of the winners.
Rok Možič ended the game with 19 points for Slovenia, followed by Tine Urnaut and Klemen Cebulj, who scored 17 and 16 points respectively.

Their quarterfinal competitors will be No.4 in Pool B Ukraine who, surprisingly, down second-placed in Pool D Portugal in just three sets.
Ukraine’s performance was great,
against a very disappointed rival. Powered by outside hitters Illia Kovalov and captain Oleh Plotnytskyi, the team managed a decisive three-set victory, partially 25:20, 25:19, and 25:22. Plotnytskyi scored 15 points through 50% in attack, while Kovalov also contributed with 11 and the same percentage.
Despite Portugal’s Alexandre Fereira’s scored 16-point and Lourenco Martins adding 12, they couldn’t stop Ukraina and, actually, they never took the field.

The upcoming Monday in Varna promises more EuroVolley excitement with the quarterfinal between Slovenia and Ukraine, while France will face Romania (the first yesterday easily beat hosts Bulgaria, while Romania needed five sets to eliminate Croatia).

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🏐| CEV EUROVOLLEY 2023 | All results of September 9

👉🏼 ROUND OF 16 | Palace of Culture and Sports | Varna 🇧🇬

• 17.30 (Local Time) | Slovenia (1B) – Türkiye (4D) 3-2 (20:25, 22:25, 25:21, 25:23, 15:13)