ITALY, RUSSIA, POLAND QUALIFY FOR FINAL FOUR

Women's Indesit European Championship 2005

Zagreb/Pula, Croatia, September 21, 2005. With one more Preliminary Pool Round to go in the Women’s Indesit European Championship 2005 Italy and Russia are already certain to make the trip from Preliminary Pool II in Pula to Zagreb in view of disputing the semifinals. Poland and Azerbaijan are the top two teams from Pool I in Zagreb to advance to the Final Four.
Azerbaijan takes further step towards semifinals

AZE - SCG 3:1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 28-26)
Best scorers: Natalya Mammadova (AZE/29 points), Ivana Djerisilo (SCG/25 points)

Starting off highly motivated Serbia & Montenegro won the first set (25-18), as in all three previous matches, but couldn’t retain their good performance during the next two sets (25-19, 25-20). Azerbaijan got better into the game, dominating on attack as well as block, taking a clear lead up until the end when the Serbia Montenegrins managed to fight back (24-24) but finally had to surrender 26-28 in the final set. Thus, Azerbaijan has secured important second place in Pool I with the more likely chance of qualifying to the Final Four than Serbia & Montenegro.
Team captain Vesna Citakovic (SCG): “I don’t really know what to say as in all three days we started off playing really well. Today, in the second set we waited for the mistakes from Azerbaijan but unfortunately they made less. Their answer to our good serves was an even better reception.”
Head coach Zoran Terzic (SCG): “Of course we can’t be satisfied losing this game, but we will analyse the match again in peace. Although we played better than in the previous two matches, we didn’t manage to use all of our chances. Azerbaijan played too good, especially on reception of serve.”
Team captain Alla Hasanova (AZE): “This game was very difficult psychologically, as both teams knew that the result was decisive for qualification to the Final Four. Luckily, we improved our game.”
Assistant head coach Aleksandr Chervyakov: “After the first set we managed to take control of the match, and we hope to continue playing so good.”

 

POL - ROM 3:0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-16)
Best scorers: Agata Mroz, Aleksandra Przybysz (POL/both 11 points), Elena Butnaru (ROM/7 points)

Defending champion Poland secured their fourth victory, defeating Romania in straight sets. Trailing behind only during the third set (1-4, 4-7, 7-12), they managed to turn the tables at 15-15 winning nine points in a row (24-15) before capturing the final 3:1 victory (25-16).
Team captain Aleksandra Przybysz (POL): “We’re happy to have won in straight sets. The first two sets were very easy, after that we relaxed a little.”
Head coach Andrzej Niemczyk (POL): “According to the statistics, we realised 75% of our attacks which shows how easy the game was for us.”
Head coach Florin Grapa (ROM): “We didn’t receive well, so there was no way of constructing a good attack. Our girls were afraid and showed too much respect towards the European Champion 2003, therefore they didn’t perform at their best.”

CRO - GER 3:0 (21-25, 22-25, 25-23 )
Best scorers: Barbara Ruzic (CRO/25 points), Maja Poljak (CRO/15 points), Angelina Grün (GER/14 points)

Croatia’s top scorer Barbara Ruzic was mainly responsible for bringing her team the 1:0 set lead with two powerful spikes (25-21) after Germany didn’t manage to win anymore points at 21-23. The second set was also won by Croatia (25-22) before they took a 21-16 and 24-21 lead in the third set. Although the Germans fought back to level to 23-23, they committed a serving mistake at the first match point for Croatia. Now the host still has all chances of qualifying for the Final Four depending on their final Preliminary Pool match against current number two in Pool I Azerbaijan!
Team captain Angelina Grün (GER): "Of course we're sad not to have qualified. Although we had several chances in all matches, we were never able to maintain our good level of game. Still, we would like to exit this competition showing a good match tomorrow."
Team captain Barbara Ruzic (CRO): "This victory means a lot to us and to Croatia, especially because it's never easy to play against Germany."

Netherlands missed out on final chance of qualifying

TUR - ESP 3:0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-21)
Best scorers: Ozlem Ozcelik, Natalia Hanikoglu (TUR/both 14 points), Elena Garcia Marquez (ESP/13 points)

2003 European Vice Champion Turkey dominated European Championship novice Spain in all aspects of the game, seizing the frist two sets 25-22 and 25-13. Starting the third set with three aces by Neslihan Demir the Spaniards didn't manage to come back, remaining on last place in Preliminary Pool II in Pula. Turkish head coach Resat Yaziciogullari didn't show up at the press conference.
Head Coach Aurelio Urena Espa (ESP): “My team are able to play much better. Reception as well as block was very weak today. I would like to leave the competition with a good performance of my team."

ITA - NED 3:1 (25-23, 25-19, 24-26, 25-18)
Best scorers: Elisa Togut (ITA/22 points), Manon Flier (NED/20 points)

The Netherlands missed out on their final opportunity to procede in the European Championship losing against the well organised Italian team. Although the Dutch led 23-21 in the first set, they didn’t manage to close it, presenting the 1:0 set lead to Italy (25-23), who also captured the next set 26-19. Resisting strongly during the third set the Dutch mainly attacked via the outside hitter, concluding the set in their favour (26-24), thus shortening the Italian set lead 1:2 with Manon Flier being the most efficient player. The Italians dominated throughout the fourth set in which the Dutch missed many serves and slackened in their defensive game.
Head coach Avital Selinger (NED): “Up until this match we still had a theoretical chance to procede but now every chance is lost. It was a good match. We played well but not consistent enough. They were more balanced and deserved to win.”
Head coach Marco Bonitta (ITA): “It was a very good match where we remained focused. Our main weapon was a successful spike giving little chance to the Dutch block and defense. Further, they didn’t manage to attack from the middle.”

RUS - BUL 3:0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-21)
Best scorers: Ekaterina Gamova (RUS/19 points), Elena Godina (RUS/13 points), Eva Yaneva (BUL/12 points)

In the last match of day four the Russian girls led up until 23-23 when Elena Godina took control, spiking and blocking Russia to the first set success (25-23). Second set belonged totally to the tall Russian squad allowing Bulgaria hardly a chance (25-17). Waking up in the third set Bulgaria took a short lead (10-11, 14-15) but possessed not enough concentration nor power to terminate.
Head coach Miroslav Zhivkov (BUL): “Russia was better than us and deserved victory.”
Head coach Gianni Caprara (RUS): “Our defense is still weak and tonight our attack wasn’t optimal either. We need to play perfect against Italy tomorrow because their game is complete. Although our setter is tactically good, technically she is not on the same level. Marina Sheshenina is still young and we don't have any preferences for the finals!”
Thursday will stage the final Preliminary Pool Round matches. On Friday the teams will have opportunity to rest previous to the Final Four weekend in Zagreb from 24th to 25th September 2005.

Women’s Indesit European Championship 2005
Preliminary Pool Round in Zagreb and Pula, Croatia (all times CET)

Match Results and Schedule

Preliminary Pool I in Zagreb (CRO)

17.09.2005	15.30	CRO - ROM	1:3	24-26, 18-25, 25-20, 25-27
17.09.2005	18.00	POL - AZE	3:0	26-24, 25-20, 25-23
17.09.2005	20.30	GER - SCG	1:3	22-25, 25-17, 13-25, 16-25
18.09.2005	15.30	AZE - ROM	3:1	26-24, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19
18.09.2005	18.00	SCG - CRO	1:3	25-16, 19-25, 23-25, 16-25
18.09.2005	20.30	POL - GER	3:2	25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-13
19.09.2005	15.30	ROM - SCG	2:3	15-25, 25-19, 14-25, 26-24, 13-15
19.09.2005	18.00	GER - AZE	0:3	24-26, 14-25, 21-25
19.09.2005	20.30	CRO - POL	1:3	16-25, 21-25, 25-22, 20-25
20.09.2005	REST DAY
21.09.2005	15.30	AZE - SCG	3:1	18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 28-26
21.09.2005	18.00	POL - ROM	3:0	25-13, 25-19, 25-16
21.09.2005	20.30	GER - CRO	0:3	21-25, 22-25, 23-25
22.09.2005	15.30	SCG - POL
22.09.2005	18.00	ROM - GER
22.09.2005	20.30	CRO - AZE

 

Preliminary Pool I Ranking

1. Poland 8 (12:3), 2. Azerbaijan 7 (9:5), 3. Croatia 6 (8:7), 4. Serbia & Montenegro 6 (8:9), 5. Romania 5 (6:10), 6. Germany 4 (3:11)

Preliminary Pool II in Pula (CRO)

17.09.2005	15.30	NED - BUL	2:3	25-17, 18-25, 22-25, 25-17, 14-16
17.09.2005	18.00	ITA - ESP	3:0	25-21, 29-27, 25-21
17.09.2005	20.30	TUR - RUS	0:3	23-25, 24-26, 20-25
18.09.2005	15.30	BUL - ITA	0:3	23-25, 14-25, 20-25
18.09.2005	18.00	RUS - ESP	3:1	25-11, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18
18.09.2005	20.30	TUR - NED	1:3	22-25, 30-28, 21-25, 23-25
19.09.2005	15.30	ESP - BUL	0:3	22-25, 12-25, 23-25
19.09.2005	18.00	ITA - TUR	3:0	25-21, 25-21, 25-20
19.09.2005	20.30	NED - RUS	2:3	25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 26-28, 9-15
20.09.2005	REST DAY
21.09.2005	15.30	TUR - ESP	3:0	25-22, 25-13, 25-21
21.09.2005	18.00	NED - ITA	1:3	23-25, 19-25, 26-24, 18-25
21.09.2005	20.30	RUS - BUL	3:0	25-23, 25-17, 25-21
22.09.2005	15.30	ESP - NED
22.09.2005	18.00	ITA - RUS
22.09.2005	20.30	BUL - TUR

Preliminary Pool II Ranking

1. Italy 8 (12:1), 2. Russia 8 (12:3), 3. Bulgaria 6 (6:8), 4. Netherlands 5 (8:10), 5. Turkey 5 (4:9), 6. Spain 4 (1:12)

Final Four in Zagreb (CRO)

24.09.2005	12.00	Semifinal for 5-8	Match D: 4th Pool I vs. 3rd Pool II
24.09.2005	14.00	Semifinal for 5-8	Match C: 3rd Pool I vs. 4th Pool II
24.09.2005	16.30	Semifinal for 1-4	Match A: 1st Pool I vs. 2nd Pool II
24.09.2005	19.00	Semifinal for 1-4	Match B: 2nd Pool I vs. 1st Pool II
25.09.2005	12.00	Classification 7-8	Loser C vs. Loser D
25.09.2005	14.00	Classification 5-6	Winner C vs. Winner D
25.09.2005	16.30	Bronze Medal Match	Loser A vs. Loser B
25.09.2005	19.00	Final	Winner A vs. Winner B

 

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