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The second continental championship to take place in Albania – this year’s #EuroVolleyU17M – started on Saturday in Tirana with most of the pre-favourites living up to their status and newcomers Latvia and Austria recording sensational victories in their maiden appearance in the competition.
The members of Team Austria erupt in joy following their sensational victory over Serbia
This is the second age-group European Championship to take place in Albania following the highly successful women’s U19 competition held in 2018 in Tirana and Durrës.
Even though the hosts representing Albania lost in straight sets in less than an hour to Slovenia, the youngsters from Latvia and Austria had much reason to celebrate as they started their journey in the competition with sensational victories over Turkey and Serbia, respectively. Latvia fought back from 1-2 to claim the fourth set and a very close tiebreak to edge Turkey after almost two hours in what is their very first appearance in the U17 Final Round. Kristians Fokerots top scored with 26 points for the Latvians – who earlier this year had impressed by completing a clean sweep of their matches at a second-round qualifier in Croatia. In the other match of Pool I, Russia needed three close sets to edge past Belgium.
In Pool II, Austria caused the other sensation of the day as they thumped Serbia in three sets. Austria head coach Nina Sawatzki was obviously delighted.
“I do not know if Austria has ever beaten Serbia in any Volleyball match. This is just amazing! My players were able to fight their way back when trailing in the score and executed our tactical plan very well. It was incredible how we were able to come back from 15-21 down in the third set. With this victory, no team will underestimate us anymore!”
Nina Sawatzki
Head coach of Austria
Italy, among the contenders for the title, and Czech Republic emerged victorious from the other matches of the day in Pool II as they beat Poland and Bulgaria, respectively.
The competition in Tirana continues on Sunday with another six pool matches.
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