Podgorica, Montenegro. Turkey vs Serbia and Russia vs Italy are the semis of this year’s #EuroVolleyU17W after pool play ended on Tuesday in Podgorica with another five 3-0 wins in as many matches – as it happened on Monday as well. Turkey and Russia completed a clean sweep of their matches in Pool I and II to claim first place in their respective groups. Italy and Serbia finished second in Pool I and II after losing only to the eventual group winners. Slovenia vs Romania and Slovakia vs Poland will be the other matches scheduled for Thursday, when competition in the Montenegrin capital resumes with the semis 1-4 and 5-8.
Pool I
Slovenia vs. Slovakia 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-22)
Slovenia finished their duties in Pool I with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Slovakia, thus improving their win-loss record in the group to 3-2. Deana Valentova top scored in the match recording 17 points for Slovakia in their losing effort, with Selena Leban registering 15 for Slovenia.
Italy vs. Bulgaria 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-17)
Italy secured their spot in the semis on a 4-1 win-loss record as they comfortably beat Bulgaria on the last day of Pool I action at Verde sports complex. Julia Ituma scored 18 points to lead Italy to their fourth victory in the tournament, as Viktoria Koeva scored 13 times for the young Lionesses. With their only success coming from the match with Montenegro, which they won 3-2, Bulgaria have to leave the competition after completion of the pool stage.
Turkey vs. Montenegro 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-10)
Reigning U16 European champions Turkey needed 57 minutes only to beat hosts Montenegro and secure first place in Pool I. Melisa Ege Bükmen shared the top scoring honours with her teammate Miray Gözübüyük – as they registered 10 points apiece. Teodora Leovac scored seven times for the home side. Montenegro end their campaign on home soil on a record of five losses in as many matches, even though they were close to claiming what would have been a sensational victory over Bulgaria.
Pool II
Serbia vs. Belarus 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-14)
Serbia finished their campaign in Pool II on a high note as they comprehensively beat Belarus in three sets. Anja Zubic scored the most point for Serbia (13), as Valeryia Turchyna recorded nine for Belarus – just as many as those scored by Una Vajagic for Serbia as well. Serbia’s only loss in the pool came on Monday when Russia beat them 3-0.
Romania vs. Russia 0-3 (7-25, 25-27, 17-25)
Russia completed a clean sweep of their matches in Pool II – where they recorded four victories in as many matches, conceding only one set along the way in their matchup with Poland. Russia stormed to a landslide 25-7 win in the opening set before the second was a much more closely fought affair. The Russians eventually sealed their fourth win in the tournament, courtesy, among other things, of 13 points scored by their team captain Arina Fedorovtseva. Lidia-Paula Partnoi scored 10 times for Romania. Romania finish pool play in fourth place and on Thursday they will play Slovenia in the classification semis for places 5-8.
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CEV – European Volleyball
SVF – Slovakian Volleyball Federation
OZS – Volleyball Federation of Slovenia
