Poland better than Romania

Poland – already out of contention for that much desired ticket to the Worlds – downed Romania in three straight sets (26-24, 25-20, and 25-16) to settle for third place in the group. After a very close opening set, Poland gradually got control of the game and in the end Aleksandra Wojcik registered 21 points to top score in the match.

On Saturday Russia’s Volleyball family could be happy with the performance of its junior national teams as the girls emulated their compatriots to also qualify for their respective World Championship that is scheduled for late June in Brno and Prostejov, Czech Republic. In what was the last and deciding game of the tournament held in Ramenskoe, Russia edged Slovenia 3:1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-23, and 25-17) to finish the competition with an immaculate record of three wins in as many matches and top the final standing of the group. 

Russia compensated for a slow start as the home side lost the opening set (21-25) by sweeping the next three (25-16, 25-23, and 25-17) to celebrate their qualification for the World Champs. The final rush of the third set was very close and tense but Russia had the upper hand there and then everything went easy for the home side in set 4. Kseniia Ilchenko (pictured) paced the winning team with 20 points.   

In the other match of the day Poland – already out of contention for that much desired ticket to the Worlds – downed Romania in three straight sets (26-24, 25-20, and 25-16) to settle for third place in the group. After a very close opening set, Poland gradually got control of the game and in the end Aleksandra Wojcik registered 21 points to top score in the match.