Slovenia attacking both gold medals and direct berth to the European Championship Final

Slovenia U16 women after taking the first finals spot.

Zadar, Croatia. Known are all finalists and the contenders for the classification matches of the women’s U16 & men’s U17 Middle European Volleyball Championships in Zadar, Croatia. Matches for 5th place, bronze medal and the grand finals are the only games left for the last day of the competition. Besides the Middle European Championship crown, the teams are also playing for a direct qualification to the European Champioship final and a couple of spots in the next qualification round. All matches can be seen  live on the YouTube channel of the tournament host, the Croatian Volleyball Federation. 

While three of the four semifinals ended with the clear result of 3-0, all of them also included a few nervous moments for the latter winners.

Slovenian women were the first team to qualify for the final. Despite being the dominant team for the majority of the match, there was a moment especially towards the end of the first set, where the Hungarians went on a scoring run and forced Slovenia to refocus. It was the two Outside Hitters Siftar (21 points on 65% attacking) and Pucelj (21pts on 60%) that stood out in what was a very successful Slovenian offence (55% as a team).

Czech Rep. U16 women flexing after the win.

Czech Republic set the tone for the most part of the second women’s semifinal. Hosts from Croatia fought for every ball, however an aggressive Czech serve (15 service aces vs. only 4) and an attack highlighted by the Outside Hitter Smolkova, who hit an astonishing 18 points out of 24 attempts, left Croatia with no chance. It was right at the end of the match, where Croatia went on a 10-4 run, however the Czech lead had already been too comfortable for a late comeback.

All smiles for Slovenia’s U17 men’s team after winning a real thriller in the end.

On the men’s side, the first semifinal was played between Slovenia and Czech Republic and it was the Czech team that was able to secure the first set, before the Slovenians would rally back and take the next two. Their star Outside Hitter Marovt, who scored 34 total points also led Slovenia to a commanding lead of as much as seven points in the fourth. It looked to be over, but the Czech boys defended one match ball after another and got very close to delivering a major comeback. Slovenia’s top scorer Marovt connected on a back row attack to end it 25-23.

Slovenia’s opponent in the final will be Austria after defeating Croatia with 3-0. Austria ended up being better in all statistical elements, however their 10 blocks versus only 3 from Croatia still stand out. Although this block supremacy was largely initiated by a better serve (2 more aces & 5 less errors) and a better serve-reception game from the Austrians, it also points to an exceptional Austrian group of young athletes with a lot of ball control.

Austria’s U17 men celebrating their semifinal win.

On the men’s side one pool had 4 teams, while one had 3. Both, Israel and Slovakia finished last in their pools, so they faced each other in the initial match for classification between 5th and 7th place. Israel was able to decide this match with a 3-0, putting Slovakia at a final 7th place. The win gives Israel another shot at Hungary and the winner will be ranked 5th.

Livestream: YouTube Channel of the Croatian Volleyball Federation.

CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2021 | Women
1st Round MEVZA
Playoff
10:00 For 5th place: Austria – Israel
15:30 Bronze Medal Match: Hungary – Croatia
18:00 Final: Slovenia – Czech Republic

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
10:00 For 5th place: Hungary – Israel
15:30 Bronze Medal Match: Czech Republic – Croatia
18:00 Final: Slovenia – Austria

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)