Quick summary of day 2 Eurovolley: Russia beaten by Turkey.

[3 Sept]

The biggest headline of yesterday's Eurovolley result is Russia, the Olympics silver medalist, beaten by the Turkish team in 3 set to 1. Without their starting and also backup opposite on the roster, Russia has to rely on Egor Kliuka as the starting opposite of the game. Although he managed to becomes the highest scorer of the team, 20 points in total, he scored 17 points in attack but only score an 26.3% in efficiency in attack, 5 errors and 2 blocked. Previously in the Olympics, Kliuka's hitting efficiency is around 30.05 %, which he was hitting as an outside hitter. We will see how Kliuka gets used to the position throughout the tournament. 

Ukraine won in five against Greece. Top scorer is Oleh Plotnytskyi, scored 24 points, 18 in attack at 48.4 % efficiency with 2 blocks and 5 aces. Ukraine have a shaky start, losing the first set to Greece, winning the second set in over time. Ultimately, they have turn up their level of paly and won the fifth set 15-6. Greece only scored 4 attacks in 12 attempts with 2 errors and 2 blocked, while Ukraine score 8 points in 13 attacks with no errors. 

Poland came into the games wanting a redemption arc because of their Olympics run, losing in 5 against France in the quarterfinals and had to leave the games early. Poland are determined to take Portugal, with efficient attack, great serve and huge blocks, they beat Portugal handily. Bartosz Kurek is the best scorer. Scored 18 points with 14 attacks at 41.666, 2 blocks and 2 serve.

Serbia won Belgium with more blocks, more serve and much better hitting efficiency. Serbia won 33 break points over Belgium. The top scorer of the match is Uros Kovacevic, 27 poinst with 19 attack at 50% efficiency, 3 blocks and 5 aces. He is very efficient in the game. 

The Netherlands played a close match against Spain. Certainly Nimir Abdel-Aziz is the key player, winning the match for the Netherlands. He is the top scorer of the match scoring 14 attack at 33.333 efficiency, 3 blocks and 2 aces.

Next day we will have in:

In Pool A: we have Belgium verse Portugal and Ukraine verse Serbia.

In Pool B: we have Italy verse Belarus, Montenegro verse Bulgaria  and Czech Republic and Slovenia.

In Pool C: we have Turkey verse Spain and Netherlands verse North Macedonia

In Pool D: we have Croatia verse Germany and France verse Slovakia. 

#EuropeanChampionships2021