Volleyball update: Friendly-fire between
Czech Republic and
Canada
The 2010 FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship will start next week and the teams involved are already sharpening their skill sets. Practice matches are already being held among different countries. Canada and Czech Republic
are two of the teams who decided to prepare by meeting for a three-match friendly series.
The Czech city Zvitavy hosted the men’s event. Canada travelled to the city of Zvitavy and played the first match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 14th September 2010. The host team appeared in court with a wonderful
plan. The head coach of the Czech’s had a hard time in formulating the right strategy to dismantle the powerhouse Canadian side. The match put their abilities to a real test. However, in the end the home-side outshined in the first match and beat Canada by
3-0 (25-23, 25-22, and 27-25).
Inside scoop
Canada opened the first set with an average pace. They covered their positions and remained focused on the defence. The Canadian setter was quick to grab and float the ball with perfect timing. It provided an edge to Canada and
they scored points against the Czechs. The Czech’s were also full of life and produced sharp spikes. They blocked many of Canada’s tricky shots and didn’t let them pass the net. The first set saw both teams playing with an aggressive approach. The match was
attended by great number of local fans who raised happy slogans in order to encourage their team. The Czech players heard their support and performed better in front of their followers. They hit superb aces and continued with prevailing spikes. Canada lost
the first set with a difference of two points as the set ended at 23-25.
Canada were favourites for the friendly series, but the Czech Republic team made a difference and shocked everyone with an exceptional game. The home-team used the first-set win to their advantage and put pressure on the other
side. They picked up the lead at the first technical timeout. The Czech players seemed determined to snatch the second set from Canada like they did the first. They attacked the Canadian defence expertly with nice floaters and stretched out their lead. Canada
put in a concentrated effort to earn points by risky bump-passes but the risk was unsuccessful. The visiting team failed to gain control over the ball and delivered a shaky performance resulted in the Czech Republic claiming the second set 25-22.
The Czech Republic smelt victory in the third set and came up greater determination and a desire to attack furiously. They stayed put on the same course in the third set and over-powered the Canadian team. The Czechs demonstrated
impressive technical and tactical ability and scored points on every possible move. Ultimately Canada lost their energy as game slipped out of their hands. The Third set concluded with the Czech Republic’s victory and the host team celebrated the triumph in
front of their fans.
The Canadian coach regretted the the loss but displayed optimism about his team’s chances in the rest of the practice series. He said, “It was a pretty average performance for us. We should be superior to them and we didn’t play
at our highest and lacked judgement on our plays”.
Canada and the Czech Republic will be battling in the World Championship along with other 22 teams in the tournament. Italy will host the 2010 Men’s World Championship, but before heading to Italy Canada will be heading to the
Slovenian city of Bled for another friendly series of matches. The Canadian women’s friendly series was also planned to be held in Costa Rica but it was cancelled due to the danger of dengue fever in the Central American Nation.
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