Zadar, Croatia. Czech girls and Slovenian boys won the title Middle European Volleyball Champions for U16 girls and U17 boys and herewith also a direct placement to this year’s European Championships. Classification matches for 5th place, bronze and gold medals only were left on the final day.
Both the Czech and Slovenian girls entered the final with a flawless record winning all of their earlier matches. It promised to be an entertaining match and it did not disappoint. Slovenia got off to a better start in the first and held on to it for a 1-0 lead in sets. The Czech team then adjusted their block and defence to slow down the Slovenian Outside Hitters Pucelj and Siftar, which lead to a turnaround lead 2-1 in sets for the Czech Republic. Siftar now at Opposite and many great rallies later, even defended match points, Slovenia decided the fourth set with 29-27. A deciding fifth set was needed, which Czech was able to win with 15-12. Jaseckova and Smolkova were top Czech scorers with 27 and 24, while Siftar had a game-high 30 points.
First two sets of the men’s final had a similar outcome, both were won by Slovenia. The difference was that in the second set the Austrians had a minimum lead almost until the end, before Slovenia turned it in their favor. Marovt, who ended up being named the tournaments most valuable player was again the team’s top-scorer. However, in the third set it was the Austrians, who took centre stage. Leading the way with a 59% attack was their Opposite Sablatnig and Austria reduced the lead to 2-1. When the Slovenian team captain Okorn also played himself free in the attack in the fourth set, the game completely tilted to the Slovenian side. In addition to Marovt’s 27 points, the impressive statistic was that Slovenia managed to not allow a single Austrian service-ace and herewith won the match with a score 3-1.
Both afternoon bronze medal matches featured a Croatian national team. While the girls faced Hungary, the boys played against the Czech Republic. The Czech boys were obviously disappointed after the semifinal loss against Slovenia and proved once more to be a team that needs to be taken very serious. With an inspired play, they left the host team no chance and won the bronze medal with a commanding 3-0.
Much more even was the girls match. The teams split the first two sets that both ended with a score 25-23. None of the teams could really separate themselves from the opponent. Croatia kept blocking their way into the game, while Hungary kept chipping away with a more daring hitting game to reward itself with a 3-1 victory and a bronze medal.
The morning featured both matches for 5th place. On the women’s side it was Israel against Austria, who had unluckily missed the semifinal by the smallest possible margin. After losing in 5 sets to Slovenia and Croatia in the pool play, Austria was the big favorite going into the game and they kept showing it throughout the match, deciding it with a clear 3-0 in their favor.
Israel could however decide the men’s match to their advantage. Hungary was not an easy opponent, but with a few less service errors and a more efficient attack, the Israeli men won the match 3-0 and secured the 5th place.
CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2021 | Women
1st Round MEVZA
Playoff
Final: Slovenia – Czech Republic 2-3 (25-21, 17-25, 15-25, 29-27, 12-15)
Bronze: Hungary – Croatia 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22)
5th place: Austria – Israel 3-0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-17)
Semifinal 1: Slovenia – Hungary 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-14)
Semifinal 2: Croatia – Czech Republic 0-3 (16-25, 13-25, 21-25)
Pool A
Slovenia – Austria 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 15-12)
Croatia – Slovenia 0-3 (16-25, 21-25, 11-25)
Austria – Croatia 2-3 (24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 21-25, 15-17)
Pool B
Israel – Czech Republic 0-3 (23-25, 9-25, 6-25)
Hungary – Czech Republic 1-3 (20-25, 18-25, 25-11, 18-25)
Hungary – Israel 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-22)
CEV U17 Volleyball European Championship 2021 | Men
1st Round MEVZA
Playoff
Final: Slovenia – Austria 3-1 (27-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17)
Bronze: Czech Republic – Croatia 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)
5th place: Hungary – Israel 0-3 (22-25, 22-25, 18-25)
Semifinal 1: Slovenia – Czech Republic 1-3 (21-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-23)
Semifinal 2: Croatia – Austria 0:3 (11-25, 13-25, 17-25)
Places 5-8: Slovakia – Israel 0-3 (14-25, 18-25, 15-25)
Pool A
Slovakia – Slovenia 0-3 (10-25, 18-25, 18-25)
Croatia – Slovakia 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23)
Slovenia – Croatia 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-17, 25-15)
Pool B
Czech Republic – Israel 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-18)
Hungary – Austria 0-3 (17-25, 12-25, 17-25)
Israel – Austria 0-3 (24-26, 18-25, 18-25)
Czech Republic – Hungary 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-16)
Hungary – Israel 3-1 (26-24, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20)
Austria – Czech Republic 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-20)
The venue in Croatia was turned into a bubble, which allowed for no spectators in the hall, instead a live stream on the YouTube channel of the Croatian Volleyball Federation was arranged.
