European League 2010

Steyr, Austria, June 30, 2010. Austria’s national team will play a double-header against Turkey this coming weekend in Steyr with matches scheduled on Friday (20:25, live on ORF Sport Plus) and Saturday (18:00). In the last two home games to be played for the 2010 CEV European League the team of head coach Michael Warm will look for its second win in this year’s competition.
The Austrians already started their build-up for the final round of the 2011 CEV European Championship that will run through September 10-18 in Austria and the Czech Republic. At the beginning of the 2010 CEV European League they claimed an unexpected win against Greece. In the away games against Turkey played in Gaziantep the team’s ambitions were hampered by a gastro-intestinal virus that hit most of the players and the coaching staff as well.
Last Sunday the team had a strong performance in Portugal and challenged the opponent for long sections of the game. “We fought bravely”, says coach Warm, who expects the same from the home games in Steyr. The Austrians want to make another step forward in their campaign for international fame. They actually find a good example in their coming opponent, Turkey. “We hope to see a similar development to what Turkey recently had. They have established themselves among the top teams after hosting the European Championship in 2009. We hope to be able to make a statement in the qualification for the next World Championship on and want to establish ourselves among Europe’s best” added Warm.

Sheffield, Great Britain, June 30, 2010. Great Britain’s captain Ben Pipes is looking to the home crowd to inspire his team for this weekend's European League double-header with Spain at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Pipes is looking to the British crowd to get behind his team the same way the samba beat inspires Spain on home soil. The GB team have witnessed the passion of the Spanish fans twice in the last two years on European League visits and would love to experience it again at the Final Four in Guadalajara.
But last weekend's double defeat by Romania has left the GB team playing catch-up as they seek to take the remaining spot. A double win over Spain is crucial to their hopes but GB has already won on Spanish soil - in Salamanca - this year.
"There are a few crucial points where the backing from the crowd can make a real difference," Pipes points out, "I know that there is still not a culture for volleyball in this country but I'm hoping that in the next two years towards the Olympics that education continues not only for us but for the public who come to watch our matches. Volleyball is a big sport and we have a team here who I know the public back and I know we'll eventually get the samba band we see in Spain, the 5,000 sell-outs in Poland and the air horns in Turkey - it's eventually going to come. I love playing in Britain and hopefully we can even see vuvuzelas at our games once the World Cup is over”.
Head coach Harry Brokking, who has also seen him team beat 2008 European League champions Slovakia and the highly-rated Romania this year, insists his players are growing up fast. "We know what we're doing and we know where we want to go to and we know we have to take it step by step," the Dutchman stresses. "We're making huge steps and what we have achieved in the past three years is amazing. I don't think any other country have made steps like this. I said when I came here that we were in the cellar of volleyball and it will take a long time before we would see some light. Now we are out of the cellar, going upstairs and maybe we are now on the second floor already”.

Steyr, Austria, July 2, 2010. The first game of the 2010 CEV European League played in Steyr ended with a 3:0 victory for the Turkish team (25-20, 31-29, 28-26) on the home guys of Austria. Even though the match finished in three sets, it was actually a very close call and thrilling until the end.
The game started out very evenly. The Austrians entered the first technical time-out with a two- point lead, but the Turkish national time was able to tie the score at 10. What followed was a very close game up to the second technical time-out, were the Turkish team took over a two-point lead. At 20:17 the Turks were able to extend their lead and won the set 25-20 in the end. The second set started out similar to the first one. This time it was close until the end. The Austrians were very determined, but in an enthralling finish the Turks prevailed 31-29.
In the third set the Turks had a good start and built up a four-point lead very fast. The Austrian team showed proper mindset, fought back into the game and tied the score at 10. At the second technical time-out they were two points ahead, but the Turkish team didn't stay behind for long. At 21 they tied the score and in the end they won the game with another very close finish (26-28).
Best scorers of the match were tonight Laimer (18), Schneider (11) and Frühbauer (9) for Austria; Batur (20), Tanik (9) and Karaagac (8) for Turkey.
Veljko Basic, head coach of Turkey, said after the match: “It was a difficult game for us today and I'm glad we decided it for us. I'm not satisfied with the presentation of my team though - the players were under pressure, because we wanted to secure the second place in the league. In order to win tomorrow we definitely have to show a better performance”.
Sinan Cem Tanik, captain of Turkey, added: “This game was a thriller. It was very stressful for both teams, the Austrians fought throughout the entire game, but in the end we were able to secure our spot. I can't say that we played very well – at times we were very weak. The Austrians showed resistance and even though we started out each set rather well, the Austrians caught up in the middle and we had a hard time making the decisive points. I assume the audience will have a similar thriller tomorrow”.
Michael Warm, head coach of the Austrian team: “From my point of view we played at our limits today. We had a few strange situations and I have to make a compliment to the guys for keeping a cool head. Especially Michael Laimer showed a strong performance. In the end we simply ran out of luck, but didn't make any crucial mistakes”.
Local captain Daniel Gavan: “We played very well today and kept up with the Turks. Especially the young players showed good progress and we would have deserved at least one set. Tomorrow is our next chance and I don't want to make any promises but I have a good feeling about it”.

Stats Photos

Nitra, Slovakia, July 8, 2010. The Slovak men’s national team is heading into the final leg of the 2010 CEV European League group stage. Two games against Great Britain on Friday and Saturday in Nitra will be last for the team this season. Slovakia did not qualify for the first time in four years to the Final Four which will be held in Guadalajara.
The priority for Slovakia in this season of the CEV European League was clear. Experienced players were released after a successful qualification for the final round of the 2011 CEV European Championship and head coach Emanuele Zanini mixed the group with young players. The captain of the team Lukas Divis: "We have clear objectives. This year we are the youngest team competing in the league and players who do not have much experience got their chance to compete. Therefore we could not think that we would have easily qualified for the Final Four. If we wanted to go there, we would have had to play with our best team. But I think that coach Zanini did well to rejuvenate the team. We need to educate new players on each position, because if we want to succeed in the next European Championship, we need more quality players," said the most experienced player of the team.
Receiver Juraj Zatko said that the team does not lack motivation before the last two matches in the league. "In Nitra there is a nice hall and everything is well secured. We played well here last week against Romania. Although we can not fight for the Final Four, we want to finish the European League with a win," said Zatko, who will move from Ostrava to German champion Friedrichshafen this coming fall.
After last week's defeat to Romania coach Zanini was angry, because his team played very poorly. A day later, however, the Slovak players displayed a significantly better performance and clinched their third victory in the Pool A. "The second match looked much better," added the native of Bratislava. Zatko is 23 years old and still needs to collect experience from international matches. "International matches give us a lot. We need to collect experience and this is a big positive," he concludes.

Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, July 9, 2010. The two matches starring Portugal and Turkey that will be played this weekend in Povoa de Varzim have the necessary spice to set up some excellent Volleyball actions. The two best teams of Pool B will be able to present their best Volleyball without any pressure and they are also likely to use some of the less known players. This titans’ encounter will be staged at the hall “Pavilhao Desportivo Municipal Povoa de Varzim” and the matches will be held both at 16h00 local time and will be broadcasted live by Sport TV.
The defeat in the last match played in Austria was certainly not foreseen in the Turkish predictions, even though that didn’t cause any harm to the strength and quality of the team. Veljko Basic mentioned the exhaustion of his players in the last matches previous to the Final Four stating that “I think my team is very tired” and highlighted that the team revealed some anxiety in the key moments to close the sets. “Our problem was that we made the mistakes in the end of the sets”, recognized the Croatian coach that leads the Turkish team.
Turkey wasn’t the only team to stumble. Portugal lost their invincibility in the competition by suffering an unexpected defeat against Greece… for almost everybody, except for the technical staff lead by Juan Diaz and for the players captained by Joao Jose. The Cuban born coach intends to continue to “rotate” the less used players until now – Marco Ferreira, for example, that didn’t play the first match in Greece, was the best Portuguese scorer (24-points) in the second match. Carlos Teixeira, the experienced Portuguese libero, presents himself realistic: “This defeat appears in the right moment, since it will enable us to reflect and prepare better for the Final Four”.

Constanta, Romania, June 9, 2010. Under heavy rains and serious flooding menace, Constanta is currently hosting the last two games between Romania and Spain, both already qualified for the European League's Final Four Tournament.
Under these circumstances, the first game on Friday started easy, with the host team making the rules all the way through, from 8:5 and 16:10 at the technical breaks, until the last points of the first set for the final 25-16. The second set was a different story, with the Spanish team working hard in attack and blocking. It was 8:6 for Spain at the first mandatory stop and the big fight went off at 15:12, till a surprisingly 16:15 for Romania. The last part of the set was played with the same pace, with Cristian Chitigoi at the wheels, conducting the Romanian team to a nice performance - 21:18 and a few minutes later 25-21.
The tird set was in the same combative spirit, with both teams showing their best Volleyball. Romania took a little advantage at the first technical time-out (8:7), losing this at 10:11. Spain did not increase the difference (16:15) but kept the lead until the last part that belonged to the more determined Iberian squad (25-23).
The fourth set was about the bleeding Spanish pride, taking not without fight point after point - 8:7 and 16:14, then 21:16 and, in front of a confused Romanian squad, that could not avoid the final 25-19.
The final set showed both teams well decided to lead the game, but unexpectedly Romania lost the focus after the time-out (8:7) for the 10:10 and finally the victory went to Spain at 15-12. So, after this game Spain maintains the lead in the standings of Pool A. Best players of this game were Cristian Chitigoi and Adrian Gontariu (Romania) with 16 and 24 points respectively; Francisco Rodriguez Herrera topped the charts for Spain with 18 points.

Nitra, Slovakia, July 10, 2010. Slovakia finished its campaign in the 2010 CEV European League on a high note with another 3:0 victory against Great Britain (25-15, 25-23, 25-21).
Slovakia started the match well. With middle blocker Jozef Piovarci in the serving area the score moved rapidly to 4:0 for the home heroes. The Slovaks pushed the opponents with the service and led 8:4 at the first technical time-out. Slovakia was better in all aspects of the game and forced the British players to make some mistakes. Matej Kubs hit an ace for the 15:6; the home team played constantly good and won the first set 25-15.
The start of the second set was closed. Britain reduced the number of mistakes and led 8:7 at the first technical time-out and after a block by setter Benjamin Pipes Britain was even up 12:10. Slovakia leveled thanks to Bencz to 13:13, but then Joel Miller hit an ace and Great Britain led again by two points - 13:15. But Slovakia came back and when Piovarci hit an ace the score stood at 17:16 for the home team. Slovakia had the first set point thanks to a spike by opposite Milan Bencz - 24:22. Slovakia won the second set 25:23 when spiker and captain Lukas Divis finished the action.
The third set was at the start similar to the second. Both teams collected points after points and Great Britain led 8:7 at the first technical time-out. Later Slovakia made an error in attack and Britain stretched to 12:10. But then Kubs made a nice block and the score was 13:13 and Slovakia led 16:15 at the second technical time-out. Then Matej Hukel made a block and Slovakia extended the margin to 19:17. Later the home team spread up the gap to 21:18, but Britain fought back and closed to 21:20. The head coach of the Slovak team Emanuele Zanini asked for a time-out. Slovakia concentrated for the last and most important part of the set and won it 25-21.
Marco Fenoglio, assistant coach of Slovakia, said after the game: "Britain played little bit better than yesterday, but it is difficult play a match like this and to stay concentrated. It was important for us to win both matches without losing the set. We wanted to finish European League with a win."
Harry Brokking, head coach of Great Britain: "I think except the first set we played much better than yesterday. We had really a young team in the court, maybe the youngest in the European League. Especially for Peter Bakare it was his first international match and you saw what he is doing. I am happy that we finished the European League like this. We have young players and we have a good future waiting for us."

Results
Slovakia vs. Great Britain 3:0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-21)

Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, July 10, 2010. This afternoon Portugal defeated Turkey 3:0 (25-17, 25-23 and 25-9) in a very emotional match held in the hall “Pavilhao Desportivo Municipal Povoa de Varzim” and conquered the 10th victory out of 11 matches played so far in the 2010 CEV European League. With the two teams already qualified for the final four to be played next week in Guadalajara, Spain, both coaches took the opportunity to test their players. Much more satisfied was Juan Diaz that saw his players complementing a good reception with 11 aces and 12 blocks. The third set was even “devastating” as recognized by Sinan Cem Tanik, Turkish captain.
The team coached by Croatian Veljko Basic started the match in good manner (3:0), with 2-pts scored by Emre Batur, the last one against a block from Valdir Sequeira. But the local nº 13 returned him the “courtesy” shortly after by blocking – together with Joao Malveiro – an attack from the nº 15 from Turkey, tying the score (3:3). Portuguese setter Tiago Violas granted Portugal with a 3-pts advantage when reaching the first technical time-out. Their confidence increased even more with an ace from Valdir (9:5). Turkey tried to stop the point loss, but a new ace, this time from Andre Lopes (11:6) forced Basic to call his players. A new ace of captain Joao Jose immediately after a block from Malveiro, granted Portugal with the 15:8 and thrilled the public. Valdir, with an attack, increased the advantage to 7-pts (17:10) and practically ended the Turkish resistance. Trailing down 12:20, Basic asked for another time-out, but it didn’t work out, since Portugal closed the set 25-17.
The second set was quite more balanced. A better reception from Turkey and more difficulties in attack from Portugal created constant ties (3:3, 6:6, 10:10, 22:22) – a situation only broken by a slight advantage for Portugal at the second technical time-out (16:13) – and delayed until the final points the knowledge about the winning team. Andre Lopes would close the set (25-23) with an ace, with the ball hitting the net and falling under the astonished look from the Turkish players.
The third set was clearly dominated by Portugal. With an excellent series of blocks, with highlights to Joao Malveiro, Valdir Sequeira and Carlos Fidalgo, and an even more productive series of aces – highlighting, in this aspect, Joao Jose and Marco Ferreira – made it easy an expected difficult set. The victory by 25-9 leaves no margin to any other comments.
Valdir Sequeira, with 17-pts, was the best scorer of the match, while on the other side the best scorer was Emre Batur, with 12.
Portuguese coach Juan Diaz said: “We played this match as a preparation for the Final Four and in order to be able to recover psychologically and physically the players and the truth is that we were able to be well in the reception and in blocking and the attack also worked out”.
Local player Flavio Cruz added: “Since this match didn’t alter anything in terms of ranking, it worked out as a preparation for the Final Four and I believe that we were well, even though we entered badly in the first two sets. We served aggressively and we were well also in blocking. There was also less positive aspects, but these matches are perfect for analyze these situations”.
Turkey’s coach Veljko Basic: “Congratulations to Portugal. We have some injured players and weren’t able to give a better reply to Portugal that played an almost perfect match”.
Captain Sinan Cem Tanik: “There is nothing much to say. Congratulations to Portugal by the way they played and did some damage in our side-out, creating us difficulties to overcome the block. We were able to fight back in the second set, but the third one was devastating”.
The first match worked almost in full for the Portuguese team that was very good in attack and in reception but even better in service and block. Nevertheless Juan Diaz doesn’t count on the same “easiness” for the second match. The Cuban coach highlights that “this will be a more balanced match, since both teams will analyze what happened in the first match and play a last good rehearsal before the Final Four”.

Results
Portugal vs. Turkey 3:0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-9)

Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, July 11, 2010. Portugal defeated this afternoon Turkey once again, this time 3:1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-14 and 38-36) in the last weekend of play for Pool B. With both teams already qualified for the Final Four to be held next week in Guadalajara (Spain), the coaches Juan Diaz and Veljko Basic took the opportunity to make a final test, with Portugal receiving the better grade, since the local guys scored once again a classy victory.
Portugal started with real confidence (6:1), Turkey reacted through captain Sinan Cem Tanik (2:6), but it was Joao Malveiro, with an ace, that granted Portugal a 6-pts advantage at the first technical time-out. Turkey was able to approach (9:12), with Sinan, but Portugal sped up their offensive play and were, once again, winning by 6-pts at the second mandatory stop, with a block from Malveiro. Right before the final section of the set, Portugal’s superiority was even more evident (19:11), even though two consecutive points from Selçuk Keskin (15:20) had given, for a few moments, some hope to the Turkish guys that nevertheless saw their player, Fatih Cihan, fail a service that would grant Portugal the victory on that set by 25-19. In the second set, the team led by Croatian Veljko Basic started strongly, pressuring Portugal with aggressive serves and sustaining their attacks with blocks, their main weapon. At the second mandatory stop, the Turkish advantage was only of 2-pts, but that was due also to some demerit of the Portuguese team, that failed many services, despite the good defensive game from Turkey. The final moments brought some emotion to the court: Turkey was winning 19:15, but Portugal approached (20:21), with an ace from Valdir Sequeira. Nevertheless, Turkey handled well the pressure and ended up by closing the set with a 25-22. In the third set, balance appeared only in the first points (2:2). Afterwards the team around coach Juan Diaz, playing loosely and with confidence, went away in the scoreboard (8:4, 16:8 with Valdir blocking Sinan), ending up by completely controlling the Turkish team (25-14). In the fourth and last set, without a doubt the most emotional, Turkey entered once again strongly and Portugal was only able to tie at 8, going ahead on the score for the first time shortly after (10:9) and arriving at the second technical time-out with a 3-pts advantage. Portugal tried to manage the advantage, but it was annulled at 21, when Turkey tied and took the lead (22:21), on the last effort to maintain their team in the match. Valdir, with an ace (23:22) and a spike (24:23), kept Portugal on the lead, but Turkey tied with a block (25:25). Flavio Cruz scored the 26-pt, but Mustafa tied once again. The constant ties were only maintained until 36:36, the time when with a failed attack from Batur and an attack from Valdir, Portugal won the set (38-36) and the match.
Valdir Sequeira, with 22-pts was the best scorer of the match, while the best amongst the Turkish players was Emre Batur, with 15-pts.
Juan Diaz said: “It was a though match, and therefore we can go to the Final Four with some real confidence. We reached our main goal, that was to qualify for the Final Four, and now we want to win the European League. Are we playing there as the favorites? Naturally Spain plays at home, so they will have the advantage of playing in front of their public. However, they will have also more pressure on them and all the other teams will have to exploit that situation. The first match of the semi-finals is decisive and it will be very important that we are able to face it calm and always focused”.
Local player Manuel Silva: “It was a good match, though, that served at a good practice for the Final Four, where the best teams will be competing. We know that in Spain it will be even harder, but we will play the Final Four with the intention of fighting point by point and trying to win the first match”.
Turkey’s coach Veljko Basic: “Today’s match was well better than yesterday. Congratulations to Portugal and also to my team, for the way they battled on court. In this phase of the qualification, our line-up suffered many changes and we used 18 players, so our game was quite inconstant”.
Captain Sinan Cem Tanik: “This match was much better than the first one in many aspects and our defense was able to upset the Portuguese attack. I only regret that we couldn’t offer to the public a tie-break as emotional as the fourth set”.

Results
Portugal vs. Turkey 3:1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-14, 38-36)

Stats Photos

Quote from burak-ı naz

Portugal vs. Turkey 3:1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-14, 38-36)

Fourth set must have been exciting

Guadalajara, Spain, July 15, 2010. The city of Guadalajara in Spain hosts this weekend the final four of the 2010 CEV Men’s European League. Spain, Romania, Turkey and Portugal will fight for the title.
The first semifinal will cast the leaders of Pool B, Portugal, against Romania, on Friday at 17:00 CET. The second semifinal will star the local team of Spain against the runner-ups of Pool B, Turkey (Friday, 20:00). The losers of the two semifinals will meet on Saturday for the classification match to be played at 17:00. The winners of both semifinals will fight for the title in the final to be played on Saturday at 20:00 CET.
The “Pabellon Multiusos” sports hall in Guadalajara is ready for the exciting tournament which is celebrated in Spain for the first time. The Spaniards dream of a victory this weekend, and they hope to be able to renovate the EL title they won in 2007. Last year, the squad trained by Julio Velasco reached the second position, after losing the final match against Germany, so Spain expects to use the home ground factor to achieve the title.
“It will be a very even final”, said head coach Julio Velasco, “we are missing some of our top players; we are facing the final with good players but they lack international experience, we’ll see how their psychological reaction will be, because the result of this tournament is very important for us”, said the Argentinean head coach, who expects the support of the public from Guadalajara.
All four participants will fight for the crown in an outstanding tournament which will mark one of the highlights of European Volleyball this season

Guadalajara, Spain, July 16, 2010. In presence of CEV President André Meyer and the National Presidents of Spain, Portugal and Turkey, host Spain as well as Portugal qualified for Saturday’s gold medal game of the 2010 Men’s European League. Whilst host Spain easily overcame Turkey in straight sets, Portugal overpowered Romania after a hard fought five-setter. Tomorrow’s final encounter will be a remake of 2007’s European League final played in Portimao, Portugal

Picture Gallery Game info and TV schedule

In presence of CEV President André Meyer and their National Presidents Agustin Martin Santos as well as Erol Ünal Karabiyik, host Spain jumped out to an 8-5 lead in the beginning of today’s second semifinal opposing host Spain and Turkey. Spain set the pace with Sevillano and Perez on fire, putting a lot of pressure on the Turkish defense. Spain was leading by five points at the second technical timeout, before Perez brought up set point at 24-20. Kadir served long to give host Spain a well-deserved 1-0 set lead.
Things didn’t change in the second set. Turkey played well, but Spain managed to control the match. 8-4 and 16-14 were the results at the technical timeouts, and when Noda blocked for a 22-17 Spanish lead, the set was almost over. Perez ended it with a burning winner from the right, 25-20.
Turkish head coach Veljko Basic reorganized his team for the third set, trying to find a better strategy against the strong Spanish team. It seems to work as the Turks led by three points at 9-6. Especially in blocking and defense, the Turkish selection improved a lot. However, the Spanish team didn’t agree to let the Turks go too far, fighting back bravely to level the score at 12-12. Noda hammered hard from back row to move the scoreboard to 18-15 for Spain, before Rodriguez added another Spanish point with a fabulous block winner. But a 22-18 lead was not enough for the hosts. Turkey fought back with Captain Sinan scoring two block kills, 22-21. However, the Spaniards kept cool at the end of the third set with Perez bringing up match point, before Subiela bounced the home team into heaven with an impressive block winner. Best scorer of the match was Spanish Perez with 14 points.

“We are very happy”, said Spanish head coach Julio Velasco. “This Final Four in front of our home crowd is very important for us. We served very well today, giving us the chance to touch many balls in defense. Our sideout was not perfect; we have to improve it. I think the chances are fifty-fifty tomorrow versus Portugal. They have an experienced team.”

“Congratulations to Spain, they played very well today”, explained Turkish head coach Veljko Basic. “We had not enough confidence after a lot of changes during our 2010 European League campaign. But this is not an excuse, Spain really deserves their victory today, they were the better team.”

Earlier today in the first semi-final, the players of Romanian head coach Stelian Moculescu started their first European League Final Four campaign versus Portugal with big troubles. In fact, the Portuguese put a lot of pressure on the Romanian reception in the beginning of the first set here in “Pabellon Multiusos” sports hall in Guadalajara. After ten minutes, the scoreboard showed a gap of eight points between the two teams, 10-2. Moculescu called two timeouts to reorganize his squad, but it was already too late. Even when Romania reduced the leeway to four points at 12-16, Portugal was the better team. At 15-24 Andrei Laza served long to hand over the first set quite easily to their opponents.
Moculescu found the right words in the three-minute set break as his players performed much better in the beginning of the second set. However, at the second technical timeout Portugal led again by five points. The Portuguese showed great skills in serving and blocking, and Malveiro and Jose scored many points through the middle. Valdir finished the second set with a blistering winner from the right to give the West Iberians a 2-0 lead.
Portugal continued their winning streak also in the third set, leading 8-4 at the first technical timeout. The Romanians found a better rhythm, but Portugal still set the pace. At 17-18, Lica hammered one down from back row to raise the Romanian hopes for a comeback. The set now balanced on a knife’s edge. Chitigoi blocked for a 22-20 Romanian lead, but Flavio fought back bravely with a service winner to level it at 23-23. A few moments later Lica brought up set point for Romania from the right, before Chitigoi closed it out with another spectacular block kill.
The Romanians kept their cadence in the fourth set with improved service reception and a great fighting spirit at the net. Portugal head coach Juan Diaz called his first timeout at 8-13, but it didn’t help. Romania now was the better team, and Portugal completely lost the momentum.
Until 5-5 in the tie-break, both teams managed to win their sideout. But then a fourth-point run by Portugal decided the match. Two magnificent block kills as well as some fast combinations through the middle gave the Portuguese a well deserved 13-6 lead. Lica served long at 8-14 to present Portugal their ticket for Saturday’s gold medal match of the Men’s European League 2010.

“There is nothing to say about that game. We played bad, they played good, congratulations”, said Romanian head coach Stelian Moculescu. Portugal head coach Juan Diaz took some more time to analyze the match: “We lost our focus at the end of the third set. In the fourth set I gave some key players a short rest to be ready for the deciding set. They came back strongly to make the difference. Now we’ll concentrate on tomorrow’s final match. The winner will have the opportunity to play the FIVB World League Qualification Round. That’s our dream.”

The Final Four of the seventh edition of the Men’s European League will continue tomorrow Saturday with the bronze medal game at 17h00, while the Final opposing Spain and Portugal will start at 20h00.

Men’s Final Four in Guadalajara (ESP):
Results and further match schedule:

Friday, July 16, 2010
Portugal vs. Romania 3:2 (25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 19-25, 15-8 )
Spain vs. Turkey 3:0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-22)

Saturday, July 17, 2010
17:00h CET Bronze medal match: Romania vs. Turkey
20:00h CET Final: Spain vs. Portugal

The Winner Spain or Portugal will get ticket to 1st round Qualification to World League 2011. I think, that this Winner will play against Puerto Rico.

Both semifinals are available at laola1.tv. Portugal's game could be divided into two parts - one where they played and one where they simply underestimated the relatively weaker Romanians. However, it's interesting that Portugal is the only team in Guadalajara using all the key players, even hosts Spain has names missing, but, of course, this doesn't mean anything yet. The final tonight will be an interesting one for sure!

Sooo, as I expected, Portugal won Strangely enough, in 2007 in Portugal Spain won the European League for the first time, now in Guadalajara (Spain) it was Portugal's turn to lift the historic first trophy! They were definitely the best team in the league overall and I think their success is undisputable! I couldn't watch the whole game, but I hope laola1 will make it public.

Congratulations Portugal This is a little suprise. Well National Teams of Spain should work harder to get higher level.
So now in 1st round, if believes in rules, Portugal will face against Puerto Rico. What do FIVB? Asia will have deficit in World League. Japan will play in 1st round, China and Korea in 2nd. One Team should play in next edition. What do You think about chances Portugal against Puerto Rico. I remember this spikes by Soto

Quote from Bartek

Congratulations Portugal This is a little suprise. Well National Teams of Spain should work harder to get higher level.
So now in 1st round, if believes in rules, Portugal will face against Puerto Rico. What do FIVB? Asia will have deficit in World League. Japan will play in 1st round, China and Korea in 2nd. One Team should play in next edition. What do You think about chances Portugal against Puerto Rico. I remember this spikes by Soto

I don't think that this is surprise after what they did in the European qualification tournament. If they go in easy group on ECH 2011, they can even get medal or repeat Spanish glory with title, the ridiculous CEV "rules" allows all kind of results to happen

Guadalajara, Spain, July 17, 2010. In presence of CEV President André Meyer and the National Volleyball Federation Presidents of Spain, Portugal and Turkey, Portugal claimed the gold medal of the 2010 CEV Men’s European League by defeating host Spain in a spectacular Iberian duel 3:1. Turkey took bronze after a five-set win over Romania.
Picture Gallery Game Info

In presence of CEV President André Meyer and their National Volleyball Federation Presidents Agustin Martin Santos as well as Vicente de Araujo, 2007 European League runner-up Portugal won its first European League gold medal in history.
The Portuguese jumped out for a 3-0 in the gold medal match of the 2010 Men’s European League, but Spain turned around the score for an 8-5 lead at the first technical timeout. The hosts kept a four-point lead at the second technical timeout with some fast combinations trough the middle. However, Portugal reduced the gap to one point (16-17), forcing Spanish head coach Julio Velasco to call his first timeout. It helped as the royal reds regained their rhythm with a first chance to close out the first set at 24-21. Portugal saved two set points, but Perez finally ended the first set with a spectacular back row missile.
The more than 3’000 fans in Pabellon Multiusos sports hall in Guadalajara continued enjoying magnificent rallies in the second set, as no team managed to open a gap of more than two points until 20. Velasco called a timeout at 19-21 when the strong Portuguese attackers menaced his Spanish defense system. However, the West Iberians continued their run. Some moments later, Perez handed over the second set to his opponents with a service mistake.
The match still balanced on a knife’s edge in the third set as both teams played extremely well. Impressive spikes on both sides took turns with outstanding defense actions. Nevertheless, Portugal managed to turn up the heat with a six-point run from 15-14 to 21-14. Rocamora concluded the third set with a service error, giving the Portuguese a 2-1 set lead.
Portugal continued their impressive play in the fourth set. Most Valuable Player Valdir as well as Captain José put a lot of pressure on the Spanish defense. But a four-point lead at 11-7 was not enough to decide this brilliant Iberian duel. Spain bounced back with Perez and Noda on fire; 17-17, then 19-19. At 20-22 Velasco called another timeout to give his players new instructions. But the Portugal express was now unstoppable. Valdir brought up match point at 24-21 with a glorious block kill. One rally later, best receiver awarded André finished it in Portugal’s favor with a blistering winner from back row, giving the Portuguese their first European League gold medal in history.

“We are very happy”, said Portuguese Captain and best spiker awarded Joao José. “That’s the third time we participated at the Final Four of the European League, after a second and third place we finally made it to the top of the podium. That’s an immense sensation.”

Portugal head coach Juan Diaz expressed his feelings in this way: “If your team plays well during the whole European League campaign, you just feel great as coach. I’m proud of my players, they deserve this title.”

In the bronze medal match, Turkey overcame Romania in five sets (25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 25-16, 15-13). Whilst Turkey managed to control the first set (25-19), Romania fought back bravely in the second (25-22). Things were also tight in the beginning of the third set, but an eleven-point (!) Romanian run gave the East Europeans a comfortable 21-9 lead. Trailing one set to two, it was again Turkey’s turn to set the pace in the fourth set (25-16). In the decider, both teams had their chance to finish the bronze medal duel in their favor. Finally Turkish superstar Serhat brought up match point with a blistering winner from the right at 14-13, before Ahmet closed it out for the Turks, giving them the bronze medals of the 2010 Men’s European League.

Best players:
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Valdir (POR)
Best Scorer: Serhan (TUR)
Best Spiker: J. José (POR)
Best Server: Subiela (ESP)
Best Blocker: Malveiro (POR)
Best Receiver: André (POR)
Best Setter: Hérnan (ESP)
Best Libero: Llenas (ESP)

Men’s Final Four in Guadalajara (ESP):

Final Ranking:

1. Portugal*
2. Spain
3. Turkey
4. Romania

*The winner of the European League is qualified for the FIVB 2011 World League Qualification

Friday, July 16, 2010
Portugal vs. Romania 3:2 (25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 19-25, 15-8 )
Spain vs. Turkey 3:0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-22)

Saturday, July 17, 2010
Bronze medal match: Romania vs. Turkey 2:3 (19-25, 25-22, 25-17, 16-25, 13-15)
Final: Spain vs. Portugal 1:3 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 21-25)

Nice result for Portugeses. Maybe they will manage to qualify to the WL again? I expected at least 3rd place for Romania, but 4th also isn't bad. Romanians have volleyball traditions, so I hope they will reference to those traditions.