Group A
The third round of Group A began with a match between Jyvaskyla University and the Technical University of Munich, and continued with the University of Zagreb playing against University Vasile Alecsandri.
Jyvaskyla University won against the Technical University of Munich 3:1. It was an even match in the first set, although the Germans managed to put themselves ahead and win the set with a two point margin. The Finns responded by taking the initiative in the second and third set. They took both, winning the second with an 8-point, and the third with a 4-point difference. A tense point-for-point play marked the fourth set, and the situation became dramatic after both teams reached 25 points. The Finns proved more successful in the closing minutes, winning the set and the match 29-27. This was the last match of the group stage for both teams.
The University of Zagreb won against University Vasile Alecsandri 3:1. Both teams showed good performances, although Zagreb opened the match better, managing to break the Romanian defense, taking the set with 25:18. Tensions increased in the second set as both teams continued to play well. Still, University Vasile Alecsandri managed to even the score as they won the set 27:25. The Croatians responded by taking the lead early in the third, eventually winning it; it ended 28:15 to Zagreb. The Romanians opened the fourth set better, but Zagreb turned the score around and won both the set and the match 25:23.
‘The match was interesting, we needed a win in order to qualify to the quarter-finals. My team played very well and I hope we will win in the quarter-final as well,’ said Zagreb captain Hrvoje Zelenika.
At the end of group stage in Group A, the Croatian and the German team have two wins each, while Jyvaskyla and Vasile Alecsandri have one.
Group B
The third round of Group B started today at noon as Gazi University and the University of Almeria clashed at Trnsko Sports Hall. Almeria confidently won without losing a set. The Turks played a great defence, but it wasn’t enough as the Spanish overpowered them to secure the first set with 25:12.
The Turkish team opened the second set with a lead but they weren’t able to keep it, so the set once again went to the Spanish team – 25:16. The third set ended in the same way as the second, which confirmed the quality of the players from Almeria, who are waiting for the next round. By winning three matches in the group stage of the competition, the University of Almeria has imposed itself as a serious contender for one of the top three places.
‘We thought the match would be more difficult. Our opponents are really good. We played a good match, but the players are already tired. We are first in our group and that was our goal, and now we look forward to the knockout stage,’ said Oscar Gonzalez, the University of Almeria libero.
‘I’m sad. We lost all the matches, but that is part of sports. You can win or lose. We lost. We’ll play the rest of the matches and have fun in Croatia,’ Batuhan Durman from Gazi University briefly commented.
The University of Groningen and the University of Würzburg met in the second match of the group, held at the XV. Gymnasium Sports Hall. The Dutch team won 3: 1, although Würzburg won the first set 25-19. The turnover began in the second set, when the University of Groningen surprised everyone with their strong opening; they had a seven-point lead. The Dutch held their lead and finished the set with 25-14. In the third set, the University of Würzburg tried to regain control of the match, but the guys on the other side of the court had their own plans and they won the third set with 25-23 and then the fourth one with 25-22. This win propelled the Dutch team to the second place in the group.
Group C
In the first game of Group C, the University of Valencia defeated the University of Split 3: 0. The Spanish started off furiously, taking the first set with a 10-point margin – 25:10. The team from Split did their best to turn the match around, but they couldn’t compete with the Spanish who won the next two sets (25:18, 25:19).
Northumbria University and the University of Niš played the second match of the group at the XV. Gymnasium Sports Hall. It took five sets to decide the winner – the British won the final set 15:13 and notched the win.
Northumbria University won the first set (25-18), but the Serbians responded by winning the second 25:23. The third set went to the British 25:21, but Niš showed great fighting spirit and secured the fourth set with a 10-point margin; it ended 25:15.
The British had more strength in the deciding fifth set, claiming the victory. Let’s also mention that Northumbria University ended the group stage of the competition with three wins, thus ensuring the first place. Right behind them is the University of Niš with two wins, while Valencia is in the third spot. The representative of the host country, the University of Split, remains last without any points.
Group D
The only today’s match of Group D was played between Ben-Gurion University and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis. The French team won their second game of the tournament by beating the Israeli 3:0 (25:13, 25:12, 25:16). Ben-Gurion are still to achieve a win at the Games and are currently holding fourth spot in their group, while this was the Nice’s secondy victory.
Results
