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The Greek internationals performed well and came close to an important victory, but in the tie break they did not find the necessary solutions in reception and attack. The decisive point for the final outcome of the match was the second set in which the blue and white team, although leading 22-19, finally lost it 26-24. So instead of becoming 2-0 it became 1-1 with the Ukrainians taking advantage of it after the match.
Despite the defeat, Ethniki won its first point in the tournament and is now watching the next game against Belgium on Saturday, September 4 at 18:30 (TV coverage by ERT-3).
The passionate National 1-0
The National team started with enthusiasm and great mood in the first set of the match, as with the ace of Kasambalis and the attack of Protopsaltis it led 2-0. Ukraine responded quickly and equalized with Viecki, but again the National team with Protopsaltis and Mouchlia finishing balls went to +2 (10-8).
The Ukrainians with Teromenko in the service ran a series of 3-0 and for the first time took the lead in the score 11-10. The players of Dimitris Andreopoulos reacted immediately and after the ace of Protopsaltis, Plotniski's out and Andreopoulos' won block out took "air" of four points 17-13.
Ukraine reduced 18-16 and Dimitris Andreopoulos made a double change throwing in their game Zoupanis and Stivachtis in the positions of Mouchlias and Kasambalis. In fact, with a penalty from the experienced cross, Ethniki reached 22-17.
Ukraine tried to return to claiming the set and with a pressing service reached a "breathing" distance of 22-21. Protopsaltis with a technical blow took the National out of the difficult rotation, while the experienced winger gave a triple set of bowls 24-21. The Ukrainians remained in the set after an out serve by Kasambalis, but in the second opportunity Protopsaltis finished the set 25-22.
Thriller in the second set and 1-1 for Ukraine
The second set of the match was exciting with the National team again starting better than its opponent. With great concentration and quality, Ethniki was ahead 7-3 with an attack by Andreopoulos, after an amazing defensive effort by Kokkinakis.
Ethniki continued with the "throttle pressed" and with Andreopoulos ace took a 9-4 lead. The Ukrainians showed stubbornness on the field, pressed the Greek reception and with 5 consecutive points from counter ball and block brought the set to 10-10. In the development of the set after a mistake of the Greek team, they were ahead for the first time 12-11.
Ethniki took the reins of the set again after three blocks by Petrea and Kasambali 18-15, but the Ukrainians "answered" and with a block by Drozd they approached -1 (20-19). Ethniki took the side out and then Teriomenko nailed out for 22-19.
However, Ukraine with Plotniski in the service got consecutive points, tying 22-22, while with a place by Teriomenko, they reached a set of 24-23. Zoupanis erased the bowl set, but then his serve went to the net giving a second chance to Ukraine 25-24. From the position of service, Vietski got an ace 26-24, who needed the help of technology to be given, as a video challenge was requested.
Blue and white superiority in the 3rd set and 2-1
In the third set of the match the two teams were effective in the side out and went hand in hand until 6-6. The Ukrainians were the ones who came in front of the score 8-6 pushing the Greek reception. In fact, in the development of the set after a mistake in the attack, Ukraine took an 11-8 lead.
The Greek internationals were not discouraged and in the development of the set with Papalexiou and Mouchlia they tied 15-15. The ambiguous confrontation continued with Ukraine trying to escape but Greece having the answers. In fact, with an attack by Petra, Ethniki overtook 19-18, while a little later Protopsaltis hit smartly on the fingers of the Ukrainian block, taking the point 21-19. Petreas' awesome block gave Ethniki a 3-point lead of 22-19, while Papalexiou's block gave a four-time set of 24-20 bowls.
Ukraine in two cases remained "alive" in the set reducing 24-22, but the timeout of Dimitris Andreopoulos calmed the Greek internationals, who in the next phase ended it with an attack by Zoupanis 25-22.
The service and the block of the Ukrainians "hurt" the National in the 4th set
In the 4th set of the match, Ukraine started in the mood to press the Greek reception. So he managed to build a three point difference 8-5. In fact, with successive aces of Plotniski, the difference reached +5 (12-7).
The Greek players increased their performance and with Andreopoulos and Protopsaltis the National reduced 14-12. But again the Ukrainians found the solutions and with Viecki they made it 16-12. The typical guests stayed ahead until the end and won the set 25-19 leading the game to the tie break.
There, Ukraine with Plotniski in place of the service spoiled the Greek reception and led 7-1, while the two teams changed sides with the score at 8-2.
The Greek internationals tried to return to claiming the match but Ukraine was the one who celebrated in the end winning the tie break with 15-6.
Referees: Rodriguez, Curtis.
* Greece's points came from 3 aces, 62 attacks, 9 blocks and 25 opponents 'errors and Ukraine's came from 11 aces, 61 attacks, 10 blocks and 28 opponents' errors.
The sets: 2-3 (25-22, 24-26, 25-22, 19-25, 06-15) in 136 '
GREECE (Dimitris Andreopoulos): Papalexiou 6 (5/11 ff., 1 block), Petreas 12 (7/8 ff., 5 blocks), Kasambalis 3 (2/3 ff., 1 ace), Andreopoulos 13 (12 / 23 ep., 1 ace, 44% min. - 29% excellent), Mouchlias 10 (8/20 ep., 2 blocks), Protopsaltis 23 (21/48 ep., 1 ace, 1 block, 42% min. - 33% excellent) / Kokkinakis (l, 62% yp. - 45% excellent), Zoupani 4 (4/8 ff.), Koumentakis 1 (1/1 ff.), Voulkidis 2 (2/3 ff.), Tailor .
UKRAINE (Ugnis Krastins): Viecki 21 (17/41 ff., 2 aces, 2 blocks), Plodicki 24 (18/31 ff., 4 aces, 2 blocks, 67% sub - 33% excellent), Drozd 12 ( 10/18 ff., 2 blocks), Teriomenko 8 (5/11 ff., 2 aces, 1 block), Didenko, Ieretsenko 4 (3/8 ff., 1 ace, 17% min. - 8% excellent) / Brova (l, 47% vs. - 28% excellent), Semeniuk, Kovalov 11 (8/17 ff., 2 aces, 1 block, 56% vs. - 11% excellent), Shtitskov 2 (2 blocks), Sintorenko.
The full program of Group A (Krakow, Poland)
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Greece-Ukraine 2-3 (25-22, 24-26, 25-22, 19-25, 06-15)
18.30: Poland - Portugal
21.30: Belgium - Serbia
Friday 3 September 2021
18.30 Belgium-Portugal
21.30 Ukraine-Serbia
Saturday 4 September 2021
18.30 (ERT-3): Belgium-Greece
21.30: Serbia-Poland
Sunday 5 September 2021
18.30: Portugal-Ukraine
21.30 (ERT-3): Greece-Poland
Monday 6 September 2021
18.30: Portugal-Serbia
21.30: Poland-Belgium
Tuesday 7 September 2021
18.30 (ERT-3): Serbia-Greece
21.30: Ukraine-Belgium
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
18.30: Poland-Ukraine
21.30 (ERT-3): Greece-Portugal
Grading
1. Ukraine 1 win - 0 losses, 2 points, 3-2 sets, 110-99 points
2. Greece 0 wins - 1 loss, 1 point, 2-3 sets, 99-110 points
3. Poland 0 wins - 0 losses, 0 points, 0-0 set, 0-0 points
4. Serbia 0 wins - 0 losses, 0 points, 0-0 set, 0-0 points
5. Belgium 0 wins - 0 losses, 0 points, 0-0 set, 0-0 points
6. Portugal 0 wins - 0 losses, 0 points, 0-0 set, 0-0 points
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