British men’s team beaten on home soil: 2011 CEV Volleyball League – Volleyball news
Slovenian Men’s National Volleyball Team posted an amazing straight set victory over Great Britain on Saturday, June 11. The match was held at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield, where the British team failed to claim success in any of
the three sets. Slovenia thrashed the home team for a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, and 25-18) and added a consecutive sixth victory to their tally.
GB team started out with too many serve errors, which caused them early damage. Slovenia, on the other hand, was quite up to the mark and totally benefitted from the opponents' mistakes. They added quick points and built a lead of 8-6 at the first technical
timeout. After spending some time in centre court, the home team managed to bring themselves out of the blues. Their performance improved and they got back on track. GB squad hit the equiliser at 8-all. The uproar of local fans encouraged British players and
they moved further ahead. Slovenia lagged behind and kept on looking for opportunities. GB team maintained the flow and didn't look back. The score board showed GB’s two-point lead at the second technical break.
Meanwhile, Slovenia came from different angles but couldn’t surpass the GB score. First set inched its way to the end and GB was still in the lead. In the closing moments of the set, Slovenia got an opportunity to steal the victory from their rivals. Slovenia
went for the kill and squeaked past with just two points (25-23).
In the second set, Slovenia started with confident shots but the GB side also produced powerful thumps in response. The frequent attack attempts and block put GB in the lead at the first technical timeout (8-7). As the game progressed, few illegal shots
by GB players once again turned the mood of the game. Slovenia took advantage of the free balls given by GB side and pushed them behind the attack line. Slovenia went up and earned a strong spot in the game. They continued with success and secured second set
by sending 25-21 onto the board.
Third set was a close fight as both sides were very active on the court. Slovenia played with the confidence of two sets in hand, while GB was all set to seek revenge. Slovenia picked up a lead of 8-5 at the FTT. GB team was dragged under pressure and they
lost their form. Slovenia kept on moving with the same speed and finished the third set by polling 25-18.
The successful Slovenian head coach, Veselin Vukovic, shared his thoughts about the match as his side finished with a brilliant victory and stated, “We found it tougher against the GB serves in the first two sets today, there was more good action than yesterday.
We had benefit from some great serves, but GB did not make it easy for us."
He further added, “We came here today without five of our key players and I am very happy Klemen Cebulj, one of our young players did well, as well as Matevz Kamnik who has come back after being out with an injury for over two months. I aim to build a team
better than before through playing in the European League and I hope we are very close now to the final four”.
His British counterpart, Harry Brokking, didn’t feel good about the loss of the important match but he admired the effort put up by his players. He said his team performed better than the previous match. Now he is all focused on the next match over the weekend.
The British mentor is optimistic that his side will cover the deficit. It was the first meeting of the two teams in the league round. They are supposed to play a total of four matches and the GB squad is determined to show up Slovenia in the coming matches.
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