Russia and Poland stay without loss in the pool-play – Volleyball News
Women’s duos from Russia and Poland got off to a brilliant start at the 2012 CEV U 18 Women’s Beach Volleyball European Championship, which started off on Thursday in Brno, Czech Republic.
Second-seeded Gorbunova and Makroguzova fought for Russian legacy in the opening stage of the tournament. They impressed the spectators by the quality of their game and finished the day with perfect 2-0 record. The weather was hot and temperature was rising, but sturdy Russian athletes remained remarkably consistent and bagged success.
Gorbunova-Makroguzova took on Valkova-Forejtova from Czech Republic in the first match of the tournament. Visiting team proved to be too strong for 23rd-ranked home duo and stamped 2-0 (23-21, 21-11) victory. Both players on the Russian team enjoyed a great rhythm and tone, which allowed them to overcome the competitors. Home duo failed to penetrate the power of deadly spikes and accepted defeat in straight sets.
The second match of the opening day brought Maaseide-Jægtnes Bech from Norway in competition with Russia’s Gorbunova-Makroguzova. Russians continued with their winning ways and held off Norwegian pair for 2-0 (21-10, 21-10) victory. Hence, Gorbunova-Makroguzova finished the opening day of the 2012 CEV U 18 Beach Volleyball Championship with 2-0 record.
Elsewhere, the duo of Kociolek and Gruszczynska from Poland performed well and claimed 2-0 record on the opening day of the tournament.
Polish ladies were challenged by Netherlands’ Stubbe and Hesselink in the first fixture of the day. The match turned out to a one-sided affair as Dutch player totally collapsed. Poles hit from all angles and dug up success in just 22 minutes. Dutch pair dropped the opening frame of the match with huge margin of 16 points, 5-21. Second set of the match was not different either. Polish ladies claimed second set at 21-7 and settled for match victory.
Third-seeded Polish pair Kociolek-Gruszczynska crossed ways with Sculac-Radanovic from Croatia in the second match of the day. The Croatian pair played comparatively better and tried to give a good competition to the Poles. Nonetheless, Kociolek-Gruszczynska sent 21-11, 21-8 on board and clinched 2-0 victory. Croatian players had the urge to create a bit of spark on the centre court. They opened the match on a high note, but gradually lost momentum. The Polish ladies dragged the opponents under pressure and sent them to loss in straight sets. Back to back victories moved Poland to 2-0 in the tournament.
Russian and Poland are regarded as the pre-favourites of the tournaments. They are likely to meet in the finals of the 2012 CEV U 18 Women's Beach Volleyball European Championship.
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