Germany blanks Czechs at FIVB World Championships
After losing a close 3-2 match to Brazil on Monday in the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Men’s World Championships, the Czechs were hoping to pull off a victory against the Germans to keep
their hopes for a spot in the semi-final alive. However, a 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-13) loss to Germany on Tuesday not only knocked the Czechs out of semi-final contention, they also finished Pool R with an 0-2 record, putting them in the 9-12 classification
phase.
“Our worst game of the tournament. It was bad in all parts of the game,” said Czech captain Ondrej Hudecek. “We couldn’t stop the German attack. Maybe it was because we lost a lot of energy in our five-set
match against Brazil. But really they played better than us in all departments of the game.”
Robert Kromm scored 16 points for Germany and Gyorgy Grozer added another 15 to top German scores. Germany also beat the Czech Republic in blocks 7-1. Peter Platenik led all Czech scorers with 11 points.
The Czechs started the match well, down by only one heading into the Second Technical Timeout, but a strong defence and six points from Kromm gave Germany a 25-23 set victory. From there the Czechs couldn’t
put very much together.
It was the German's blocking and their captain Bjorn Andrae’s 75 per cent reception rate drove the Germans to victory in the second set. The German team was only ahead by two points at the First Technical
Timeout, but were able to increase that lead to seven as they won the second set 25-18.
Now up 2-0, Germany had no trouble finishing off the Czechs with a 25-13 third set victory. The Germans attacked relentlessly, mainly with Kromm, who scored nine of his points in the third and final set.
“I am really happy with the result,” said Andrae. “We concentrated in our tactics and it was really positive. We fought for every point, and the Czechs were a little tired, I think. But I am really proud
of my team, and I hope we can continue playing this way.”
Germany will now face Brazil in the final match of Pool R. The winner of that match will advance to the semi-finals and take on the winner of Pool O, which will also be determined on Wednesday when Italy
and France play. The United States is also in contention for Pool O should France beat Italy.
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