Volleyball: Serbian Women Team seized the European League title 2010
It was the morning of a big day when the two outstanding volleyball teams clashed to achieve the top spot in Confederation European Volleyball Women’s European League Championship 2010. One of them was the defending champion, Serbia, and the other was the Bulgarian team which came totally out of the blue and made its way to the finals with their brilliant performance. Bulgaria seemed hungry to get into the winner’s circle but the strong Serbian side detracted them and they had to settle for the runner-up position.
Serbia was in full swing this season and pumped up to defeat any favourite volleyball team in the world. They launched their authority in the game with Bulgaria. The Serbian attacker Jovana Brakocevic demonstrated an excellent game and dominated the whole scene with her powerful strikes. Rasic also played her part and produced some solid blocks to save the points.
The Bulgarian team stood on solid ground but struggled in the game. Strashimira Filipova delivered superb un-stoppable serves which helped the team take an 8-7 lead at the first technical timeout.
The Serbian head coach came up with the right strategy and good placing of players, he opened the game with Molnar and Krsmanovic which actually worked for the team. Rasic did a great job at her position and paved the way for Serbia’s lead at the second technical timeout. It was narrow lead of 16-15 points.
Both the teams continued to dictate the game but Serbia made its mark by creating a gap of two points at 21-19. Further in the succession of game, Maja Ognjenovic and Molnar kept the Serbian side on the roll and shifted the points to 23-19. Serbia made its way to win the first set when Bulgarian Vasileva delivered a poor serve.
The Serbian lead in the first set promptly tempted the Bulgarian head coach to bring some changes in the players’ line up. As a result Rabadzhieva was brought in for Vasileva and Zetova replaced Nikolova but it couldn’t make a huge impact on the Serbian side. They continued with the same pace and were 16-14 at the end of first technical timeout of the second set. Moreover, Serbia brought in Yaneva, whose heavy serves put a lot of pressure on the Bulgarians. Serbia wrapped up the second set with an easy win of 25-20.
In the third set, Bulgaria followed the strategy of “do or die” and made a come-back in the game. Filipova’s sharp serves allowed them to win the set 25-16.
The fourth set kicked off and both the teams demonstrated spectacular games. Bulgaria tried to continue their third set form, while Serbia was all set for revenge. The game was full of thrills and excitement in the fourth set.
Serbia dominated the other side with spikes by Brakocevic and took a lead of 16-13 at the end of second timeout. Bulgaria was not in a great position but still managed to reduce the gap to 22-24 by saving two match points. Somehow, Serbia regained control of the game and took it away from Bulgaria. Serbia won the final match and made their way to the 2011 Federation International Volley Ball World Grand Prix.
The head coach of the victorious team expressed extreme delight over the win and he was even happier for the fact that they got the ticket to the World Grand Prix which is a great honour for the Serbian team. He appreciated the team-work by all players and congratulated them. It was Serbia’s second victory in Confederation European Volley Ball Women’s European League Championship.
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