On the second day of the 26th CEV Men’s European Championships in Izmir and Istanbul, Greece surprisingly outclassed defending champions Spain in straight sets. In Istanbul, Bulgaria swept Italy in 82 minutes, taking their second victory after yesterday’s win versus Serbia. Poland overcame Germany 3:1, whilst the Netherlands lost a set facing Estonia. Slovakia beat Slovenia in straight sets, as well did Serbia in their duel against the Czech Republic. 
Picture gallery
“Sometimes even when you’re thinking being ready, it’s not enough. You have to feel it”, said Spanish head coach legend Julio Velasco after their 0:3 crash against FIVB 29th world ranked Greece. “It was too easy yesterday against Slovenia; my boys were not good enough today.” In fact, 2007 defending European champions never reached their top level today versus Greece. However, the Greeks set the pace from the beginning; especially in blocking and serving they outclassed their opponents. “A well prepared mix of self confidence and tactics made us win”, said Greek head coach Dimitros Kazazis. “With today’s performance, we raised our chance to qualify for the Playoff Round”, added captain and best scorer of the game (17 points), Nikolaos Roumeliotis.
In Istanbul, Bulgaria outclassed Italy in straight sets. Even when the Bulgarians came out of a tough game last night against Serbia, they controlled the match versus the Italians in almost all aspects of the game. Bulgaria jumped out to a 8-5 lead, but Italy answered with some well-timed combinations at the net, 12-12, then 18-18. With Bulgaria now playing faster and more precise, the East European took set one 26-24, making their cheering fans happy. Even when the Italians tried hard to turn around the score in set No. 2 and 3, the Bulgarians moved on quickly. After 82 minutes only, Bulgaria closed it out in their favor, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22, booking their second win in Turkey after yesterday’s top class performance against FIVB World League finalist Serbia. Vladimir Nikolov, captain of the Bulgarian team, said: “I’m of course very happy that we managed to keep our rhythm against Italy. They have several top players in their roster.” Bulgarian head coach Silvano Prandi added: “Today’s game was tough, every set very balanced. We made few stupid mistakes today, that’s what we have to improve if we want to win also in the future.”
In Pool A, yesterday’s winners Poland (3:1 against France) as well as Germany (3:2 versus host Turkey) faced in a very balanced game. The Poles set the pace in the first two sets (25-17, 25-23), but the players of German head coach Raul Lozano didn’t let loose. In the third set, Germany took more risk on serve, whilst the Polish stars were less determined at the net with the German improving a lot. Germany led 16-11, then 24-21, but Poland fought back bravely. Fortunately for the Germans, Jochen Schöps kept cool in this delicate moment. 180 centimeter small setter Patrick Steuerwald blocked for anew German lead at 28-27, and when Polish Piotr Gruszka sent it wide, Poland led only by one. However, the team of head coach Daniel Castellani found its rhythm again in the fourth set (25-14), taking their second victory here in Izmir. “We know how to play against Germany”, said Polish captain Pawel Zagumny after the duel. “We improved from yesterday, and now made another step towards the Playoff Round.” German head coach Lozano saw a German team who couldn’t control Bartosz Kurek (32 points) and Piotr Gruszka (23). “We now have to focus on tomorrow’s game against France which can take us to the next Round.”
With horns, whistles, flags and chants, some 250 excited Estonian fans cheered for their heroes when they jumped out again like champions, overpowering the Dutch 29-27 as they did versus Russia yesterday. Unfortuntely for them, the magic potion again lasted only for the first set. The Dutch, led by Robert Horstink (17 points) and Kay Van Dijk (17), turned up the heat, taking set 2 and 3 to 19 and 18 respectively. Even when Estonia fought hard to win the fourth set, leading 8-5 and 16-11, it was not enough. The Dutch express started to speed up, and, after 32 minutes, the Estonian hopes were dashed when the flying Dutch closed it out 30-28. Dutch captain Jeroen Trommel commented: “We played Estonia before in the World Championship Qualifier, we know they play very well, we knew it would be a tough game.” Peter Blange, head coach of the Dutch said: “It was obvious that we didn’t play our best volleyball in the beginning; a late match yesterday meant a short night. We put ourselves in trouble by falling behind in the first set. But all my compliments to Estonia, they played better than in Rotterdam two months ago.”
In the late session in Izmir, Slovakia overtrumped neighbour Slovenia in straight sets, while in Istanbul Serbia overcame the Czech Republic 25-22, 26-24, 25-14 to book their first victory at the 2009 CEV European Championships after yesterday’s defeat versus Bulgaria.
Please click here for results and standings.
Pools
Pool A in Izmir: POL, FRA, TUR, GER
Pool B in Istanbul: RUS, EST, NED, FIN
Pool C in Izmir: ESP, SLO, GRE, SVK
Pool D in Istanbul: BUL, SRB, ITA, CZE
The teams allocated to the 4 preliminary Pools shall compete following the principle “one against each other” in one single round. The teams classified 4th in each pool shall be automatically eliminated from the Final Round. The teams classified 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be qualified to the Playoff Pools E and F.
In the Playoff Pools (E and F), the teams will again compete “one against each other” in a single round, taking into account the fact that the results of the matches already played between the qualifications in the previous Pool will be counted towards the final ranking. The teams classified 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd in each playoff pool will be automatically eliminated from the Final Round. The first two teams classified in each Playoff Pool will qualify for the semi-finals.
The semi-finals and finals matches will then designate the new European champion.
The competition in Turkey will benefit from wide television coverage, established in close collaboration with the media partner of the European Volleyball Confederation, Infront Sports.
LAOLA1.tv – the international online sports TV – is ready to fire up a great special for all Volleyball fans: selected matches of the upcoming CEV European Championship 2009 in Turkey will be broadcasted LIVE and for FREE at www.laola1.tv. Watch out for top teams striving for the continental title.
After the Pool matches, the exciting playoffs will take place next September 8-10 where the teams having qualified for the second Round through the preliminary pools will give their best to vie for a ticket in the semi-finals and the finals scheduled for Sunday, September 13.
There is no registration and no login required to watch all LIVE streams. Users are part of the action with only one click. Live-streaming will be available only in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Picture gallery
“Sometimes even when you’re thinking being ready, it’s not enough. You have to feel it”, said Spanish head coach legend Julio Velasco after their 0:3 crash against FIVB 29th world ranked Greece. “It was too easy yesterday against Slovenia; my boys were not good enough today.” In fact, 2007 defending European champions never reached their top level today versus Greece. However, the Greeks set the pace from the beginning; especially in blocking and serving they outclassed their opponents. “A well prepared mix of self confidence and tactics made us win”, said Greek head coach Dimitros Kazazis. “With today’s performance, we raised our chance to qualify for the Playoff Round”, added captain and best scorer of the game (17 points), Nikolaos Roumeliotis.
In Istanbul, Bulgaria outclassed Italy in straight sets. Even when the Bulgarians came out of a tough game last night against Serbia, they controlled the match versus the Italians in almost all aspects of the game. Bulgaria jumped out to a 8-5 lead, but Italy answered with some well-timed combinations at the net, 12-12, then 18-18. With Bulgaria now playing faster and more precise, the East European took set one 26-24, making their cheering fans happy. Even when the Italians tried hard to turn around the score in set No. 2 and 3, the Bulgarians moved on quickly. After 82 minutes only, Bulgaria closed it out in their favor, 26-24, 25-22, 25-22, booking their second win in Turkey after yesterday’s top class performance against FIVB World League finalist Serbia. Vladimir Nikolov, captain of the Bulgarian team, said: “I’m of course very happy that we managed to keep our rhythm against Italy. They have several top players in their roster.” Bulgarian head coach Silvano Prandi added: “Today’s game was tough, every set very balanced. We made few stupid mistakes today, that’s what we have to improve if we want to win also in the future.”
In Pool A, yesterday’s winners Poland (3:1 against France) as well as Germany (3:2 versus host Turkey) faced in a very balanced game. The Poles set the pace in the first two sets (25-17, 25-23), but the players of German head coach Raul Lozano didn’t let loose. In the third set, Germany took more risk on serve, whilst the Polish stars were less determined at the net with the German improving a lot. Germany led 16-11, then 24-21, but Poland fought back bravely. Fortunately for the Germans, Jochen Schöps kept cool in this delicate moment. 180 centimeter small setter Patrick Steuerwald blocked for anew German lead at 28-27, and when Polish Piotr Gruszka sent it wide, Poland led only by one. However, the team of head coach Daniel Castellani found its rhythm again in the fourth set (25-14), taking their second victory here in Izmir. “We know how to play against Germany”, said Polish captain Pawel Zagumny after the duel. “We improved from yesterday, and now made another step towards the Playoff Round.” German head coach Lozano saw a German team who couldn’t control Bartosz Kurek (32 points) and Piotr Gruszka (23). “We now have to focus on tomorrow’s game against France which can take us to the next Round.”
With horns, whistles, flags and chants, some 250 excited Estonian fans cheered for their heroes when they jumped out again like champions, overpowering the Dutch 29-27 as they did versus Russia yesterday. Unfortuntely for them, the magic potion again lasted only for the first set. The Dutch, led by Robert Horstink (17 points) and Kay Van Dijk (17), turned up the heat, taking set 2 and 3 to 19 and 18 respectively. Even when Estonia fought hard to win the fourth set, leading 8-5 and 16-11, it was not enough. The Dutch express started to speed up, and, after 32 minutes, the Estonian hopes were dashed when the flying Dutch closed it out 30-28. Dutch captain Jeroen Trommel commented: “We played Estonia before in the World Championship Qualifier, we know they play very well, we knew it would be a tough game.” Peter Blange, head coach of the Dutch said: “It was obvious that we didn’t play our best volleyball in the beginning; a late match yesterday meant a short night. We put ourselves in trouble by falling behind in the first set. But all my compliments to Estonia, they played better than in Rotterdam two months ago.”
In the late session in Izmir, Slovakia overtrumped neighbour Slovenia in straight sets, while in Istanbul Serbia overcame the Czech Republic 25-22, 26-24, 25-14 to book their first victory at the 2009 CEV European Championships after yesterday’s defeat versus Bulgaria.
Please click here for results and standings.
Pools
Pool A in Izmir: POL, FRA, TUR, GER
Pool B in Istanbul: RUS, EST, NED, FIN
Pool C in Izmir: ESP, SLO, GRE, SVK
Pool D in Istanbul: BUL, SRB, ITA, CZE
The teams allocated to the 4 preliminary Pools shall compete following the principle “one against each other” in one single round. The teams classified 4th in each pool shall be automatically eliminated from the Final Round. The teams classified 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be qualified to the Playoff Pools E and F.
In the Playoff Pools (E and F), the teams will again compete “one against each other” in a single round, taking into account the fact that the results of the matches already played between the qualifications in the previous Pool will be counted towards the final ranking. The teams classified 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd in each playoff pool will be automatically eliminated from the Final Round. The first two teams classified in each Playoff Pool will qualify for the semi-finals.
The semi-finals and finals matches will then designate the new European champion.
The competition in Turkey will benefit from wide television coverage, established in close collaboration with the media partner of the European Volleyball Confederation, Infront Sports.
LAOLA1.tv – the international online sports TV – is ready to fire up a great special for all Volleyball fans: selected matches of the upcoming CEV European Championship 2009 in Turkey will be broadcasted LIVE and for FREE at www.laola1.tv. Watch out for top teams striving for the continental title.
After the Pool matches, the exciting playoffs will take place next September 8-10 where the teams having qualified for the second Round through the preliminary pools will give their best to vie for a ticket in the semi-finals and the finals scheduled for Sunday, September 13.
There is no registration and no login required to watch all LIVE streams. Users are part of the action with only one click. Live-streaming will be available only in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
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