07-SEPTEMBER-2012
BELARUS UPSETS TURKEY (3-1)
 

 

In the other match of the day Belarus surprisingly edged Turkey 3:1 (25-17, 27-25, 23-25, and 25-20). Belarus started out very determined and dominated the scene in the opening set (8:2, 16:10, 21:15) with Turkey being not able to score and find a way through the Belarusian block.

The set ended in a speedy 25-17 while the score remained tight in set 2 with Belarus opening the gap after the second technical time-out with an ace by Oleg Antanovich (19:17). A block on Emre Batur moved the score up to 22:19 before Turkey responded with some good serving, but still Belarus could seal the final 27-25.

Turkey cruised to the 24:19 in set 3 that was eventually finalized at 25-23 but Belarus got back on track in set 4 (8:7, 16:15) eventually seizing the day (25-20) for a well-deserved 3:1 win.

“We are very pleased; we know Turkey well as we played them quite many times. We practically did not make any mistake in the first two sets, Turkey played better in the third but then we stepped up once more to take the win and be the leaders of the group” said Belarusian coach Viktor Sidelnikov.

“I am very disappointed with my team’s performance but the tournament has just started and we are ready to fight for every single point and set. We hope to win our next match against Great Britain” stressed Turkey’s mentor Veljko Basic.