Novotel Cup 2010

Almer Katharina 15.01.1988 177 TSV Hartberg
Doljesi Caroline 18.03.1992 175 SG SVS Post
Haller Sabrina 20.09.1991 180 VC Gp Mils
Hodl Julia 26.08.1991 180 TSV Hartberg
Hofmeister Cornelia 09.05.1985 174 SG SVS Post
Hoskova Klara 08.03.1993 178 SG SVS Post
Jerkovic Ivona 08.10.1990 167 TSV Hartberg
Klopf Elisabeth 21.04.1980 176 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Ma Lihua 15.03.1975 180 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Mai Isabella 17.12.1978 186 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Pemmer Gabriele 24.02.1984 180 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Postl Michaela 07.06.1992 175 SG SVS Post
Riegler Kerstin 20.03.1990 178 SG SVS Post
Rosslhuber Christine 29.05.1987 178 Supervolley Wels
Rottmann Alice 17.05.1986 180 SG SVS Post
Schützenhofer Katharina 22.09.1993 174 TSV Hartberg
Spätauf Viktoria 13.02.1990 180 Team Allgäu Sonthofen
Steininger Kathrin 19.06.1992 176 SG SVS Post
Teufl Patricia 15.10.1991 177 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Teufl Valerie 04.09.1986 180 ASKÖ Linz Steg
Unterberger Anna 04.07.1991 180 VC Gp Mils
Vymetal Nadine 09.10.1986 157 SG SVS Post
Wieder Stefanie 17.02.1994 178 UVV Seekirchen
Coach Li Qing

1 Eva Bang 12.20.90 177 Brøndby VK
3 Mia Kloth-Jørgensen 10.12.85 169 Holte IF
4 Mie Lindgren 27.03.89 176 Montana Grizzlies
5 Jindra Knudsen 11.12.80 173 Holte IF
6 Louise Alrø 04.07.88 189 Örebro Volley
8 Christina Jensen 04.01.88 182 Brøndby VK
10 Melcijana Salispahic, captain 10.07.87 176 Holte IF
14 Natja Kjeldsen 09.05.90 182 Skovbakken VK
15 Karen Helmer-Hansen 02.05.87 184 Holte IF
16 Lærke Grønfeldt 29.10.88 184 Frederiksberg
17 Lykke Degner 20.04.88 191 Holte IF
Coach Westman Tony

1 Bunten Linsey 25.10.82 172cm Troon, Prestwick and Ayr
2 McReady Laura 06.11.87 168cm Su Ragazzi
3 Clayton Caroline 21.03.87 177cm Troon, Prestwick and Ayr
4 Thom Jennifer 06.10.83 177cm Tameside
5 Smy Catherine 07.04.87 188cm City of Edinburgh
6 Boulton Laura 05.05.84 172cm Edinburgh Jets
7 Morrish Anne 16.12.82 182cm Holte IF
8 Penny Claire 06.01.81 175cm City of Edinburgh
9 Coburn Lindsay 26.02.84 182cm Su Ragazzi
10 Krawczhk Elaine 10.10.83 172cm Troon, Prestwick and Ayr
11 Runciman Jill 04.05.83 180cm Edinburgh Jets
12 Wieczorek Klaudia 16.5.91 177cm Leeds Met
Smith Emily 175cm Edinburgh Jets
Wheatlie Kay 177cm South Ayrshire
Coach French John

1 Noesen Patricia 22.02.81 178 V80 Pétange
2 Frisch Samirah 19.06.89 166 CS GYM Volley
3 Ernster Lara 14.02.90 175 Lattes Asptt Montpellier VAC
6 Kieffer Carole 30.07.83 180 V80 Pétange
7 Mach Annalena 01.06.95 175 VC Steinfort
8 Weber Martine 09.08.87 178 VC Mamer
9 Hoffmann Betty 11.01.96 174 RSR Walfer
10 Frisch Isabelle 16.12.87 175 CS GYM Volley
11 Emeringer Martine 09.01.81 168 VC Mamer
13 Breuer Michèle 24.03.93 165 RSR Walfer
14 Braas Nathalie 18.03.94 174 RSR Walfer
16 Bichel Claude 30.01.93 177 RSR Walfer
18 Steinbach Corinne 20.05.86 178 VC Mamer
19 Welsch Maryse 03.02.91 170 RSR Walfer
Coach Gorbachev Andrej

Austria - Denmark 3:0 (25:19, 25:26, 25:17)

The favourite team from Austria defeated Denmark without any major problems in three sets. Despite their fierce efforts the Danish team did not accomplish to reach over 20 points.

Scotland - Luxembourg 2:3 (18:25, 25:22, 29:27, 21:25, 13:15)

The host team from Luxembourg started the first set of this year’s competition successfully. Effective services from Annalena Mach brought the team around coach Andrej Gorbachev to the fore. Scotland was not able to stabilise its reception, but benefited from some self-caused mistakes made by the Luxembourgish attackers and could balance the score at 7:7. Nevertheless, the young team around captain Patricia Noesen reached to extend again the lead until the second technical timeout, leading 16:12. The clear construction on the Luxembourgish side finally led to the end score of 25:18.

In the second set, Gorbachev pinned his trust again on the starting six (Isabelle Frisch had been substituted by Nathalie Braas in the middle of the first set). Scotland still seemed not to find into its play. The host team went into the first technical timeout with an 8:5 advantage. Scotland tremendously improved their blocking behaviour, balanced the score and reached the second technical timeout leading 16:15. Despite several substitutions on the Luxembourgish side Scotland could develop the advance. Clever attacks made by the guests weakened the Luxembourgish defence, leading to the end score of 25:22 in favour of the Scottish team.

The third set started promising for the home team. Even though the Scottish reception had improved since the beginning of the match, the Luxembourgish service still made a huge impact. Luxembourg gained the lead with a score of 8:5. The Scottish Libero Laura McReady started to dominate the defence, enabling the Scottish attackers, above all Jennifer Thom, to act more efficiently. Scotland led 16:14 when the referee whistled for the second technical timeout. Luxembourg did not use the fact that the Scottish setter Elaine Krawczyk mainly used her outside hitters. Miscommunication within the Luxembourgish team led to the loss of decisive points. The Luxembourgish outside hitter Patricia Noesen finally brought her team back into play, making important points in the final stage of the set. The tension climbed at the scores of 25:25, 26:26, 27:27 - Finally, the Scottish team could win two points in a line, winning the third set 29:27.

In the beginning of the fourth set Scotland maintained its offensive play, leading 8:5 into the first technical timeout. Luxembourg could balance at 9:9. Gorbachev substituted the setter, bringing the more experienced Martine Emeringer (for Michèle Breuer) into play. A neck-and-neck race began. Both teams delighted the audience with spectacular actions of defence, Scotland always slightly leading until 20. Luxembourg fought and was rewarded with a score of 24:21 in its favour. The fans finally cheered when Luxembourg could also win the match point, leading Scotland into the tiebreak.

Failures in service by both teams dominated the beginning of the fifth set. However, Scotland lost its concentration and Luxembourg could gain a four-points advance at 8:4. The host team fought and entered the ten-point line with 6 points in advance. Nevertheless, after many self-caused mistakes Scotland found back into play, reducing step by step the huge difference in points until 12:11. Luxembourg could win the following two points. However, Scotland fended off the match ball. The failure in service on the Scottish side finally released the tension. Luxembourg decided the final set 15:13.

Denmark - Scotland 3:0 (25:13, 25:18, 25:10) Photo Gallery

The Scottish team, who did not feel up to the mark in yesterday’s match against the host team, convinced during the beginning of the first set, leading two points in advance until the score of 8:6. However, the Danish team, having a physical advantage over its opponents, scored several points in a row, gaining the lead until 16:11. Most notably, the tactically clever passes by Jindra Knudson and the spectacular combinations of attacks on the Danish side represented a major problem for the Scottish defence. Denmark could easily gain a huge advantage, winning the set at 25:13.

In the second set Denmark accelerated the play, leading 8:4 at the first technical timeout. The Scottish block still was powerless against the creativity of the Danish attacks, now led by setter Eva Bang. The team from the British Island fell behind until 16:11, not able to totally reduce the difference of points until the end of the set at 25:18.

The third set started similar. Even though Scotland fought hard, the Danish women quickly gained a few point advantage, which they steadily developed until the Scottish timeout at 10:5. Due to miscommunication the Scottish team lost again some points. The Danish middle blocker Lykke Degner effectively used the holes in the Scottish block. Denmark hit the 20 mark with ten points ahead, winning the third set finally 25:10.

Luxembourg - Austria 0:3 (13:25, 17:25, 21:25) Photo Gallery

After the sensational victory against Scotland, the Luxembourgish coach Andrej Gorbachev decided to start with the experienced setter Martine Emeringer. Luxembourg was able to defend itself. However, a non-compact block in the middle and on position four led to a quick loss of points on the Luxembourgish side. Austria partly scored without block, putting intense pressure on the Luxembourgish defence. The guest gained a lead of three points, when entering the two-digit area.
The Austrian middle blockers Alice Rottmann and Katharina Schützenhofer scored even more, whereas the Luxembourgish middle blockers Lara Ernster and Claude Bichel were not able to act effectively. Austria expanded its lead to 16:9. At 17:9 Andrej Gorbachev exercised the new option to substitute his libera Samirah Frisch with the second libera Maryse Welsch. Nonetheless, Austria kept on making many points with its middle blockers. Luxembourg tried to change the formation. The young setter Michèle Breuer and attacker Betty Hoffmann entered the court. It did not help. Austria finally closed the set at 25:13.

The Luxembourgish starting six was back on court in the beginning of the second set. The services of Austrian player Valerie Teufl had a negative impact on the Luxembourgish reception. Austria could gain a 4:0 advance. Miscommunication on the Luxembourgish side seemed to confuse the young team around captain Patricia Noesen. However, Luxembourg could tie the score at 7:6. The floating services from Austria brought the Luxembourgish reception repeatedly into trouble, leaving setter Martine Emeringer few opportunities to properly set. Luxembourg seemed to loose more and more its fighting spirit. Coach Andrej Gorbachev tried again to stabilise the reception with his second libera Maryse Welsh, but the Luxembourgish attacks did not show the desired effect. A double substitution on Luxembourgish side strengthened the block, reducing the nine points gap to 21:15. In the end, the more experienced team from Austria defeated the host team 25:17.

In the third round the Luxembourgish coach pinned his trust on the young players with four girls, who could still play for the Luxembourgish cadettes team. Luxembourg was able to keep up with the superior opponent until the first technical timeout at 8:7 for Austria. Following a successful hit from Betty Hoffmann, Luxembourg balanced the score and even gained a two-point lead at 12:10. Austria released the handbrake and put more pressure in its play, quickly gaining back the lead. Luxembourg tried again a double substitution at 21:17 to reinforce the block. In the end, Austria could win 25:21.

Austria - Scotland 3:0 (25:12, 25:18, 25:12) Photo Gallery

The Scottish team started promising. A good fighting spirit and a clever usage of holes in the Austrian defence enabled the team from the British Island to keep up with the superior opponent. However, Austria used its physical advantage. The setter Cornelia Hofmeister accelerated the play and the Austrian outside hitters were able to make their way through the lower and un-compact Scottish block. At 12:7 the Scottish coach John French took his first timeout, but his team could not tie the score. In the end, Austria decided the first set to 12.

Austria started the second set with many failures in attack, letting the Scottish women gaining the lead at 6:5. However, Austria made three points in a row, entering the first technical timeout with two points ahead. Scotland balanced at 9:9 and came to the fore at 12:10 above all due to clever attacks by its outside hitters. Austria again accelerated the speed whilst the services by the Austrian attacker Lihua Ma caused huge problems in the Scottish reception. The referee whistled for the second technical timeout at 16:12 for Austria, which could finally win the set at a score of 25:18.

The third set started similar. The Austrian women quickly gained a solid two-point advance, which the team around coach Qing Li steadily developed until 16:9. In the end, also the third set ended in favour of Austria, which could win the Women category of the Novotel-Cup 2010.

Luxembourg - Denmark 1:3 (25:27, 25:22, 22:25, 16:25) Photo Gallery

The Luxembourgish coach Andrej Gorbachev pinned his trust on the starting six of the first match, the tiebreak victory against Scotland. Even though the Danish team had a physical advantage, the Luxembourgish attackers cleverly used every hole in the Danish defence. Effective jump floats on the Luxembourgish side brought the Danish reception into trouble and Luxembourg sensationally could get a two-points advantage at 12:10 after being in arrears at 8:6. The young team, again with four cadettes players, could maintain this advantage until the second technical timeout at 16:14. Denmark could balance at 16:16 after a successful block against Isabelle Frisch. Services by Annalena Mach brought Luxembourg back to the fore, forcing Denmark to take a timeout at 19:17. The Danish outside hitters made several mistakes and Luxembourg could enter the 20ies at first. The Danish women went into the offensive, followed by a timeout by the Luxembourgish coach Andrej Gorbachev. A successful hit by Claude Bichel resulted in an important two-point advantage. However, Denmark tied the score at 23:23 and Luxembourg took its second timeout. A failure in service on the Danish side set the stage for the first set ball for Luxembourg. However, Denmark fended it off and scored two points in a row, thereby reaching its first set ball. An attack from Isabelle Frisch from the backcourt balanced the score again. Captain Patricia Noesen hit her service out. Immediately afterwards, Denmark could score the final point, winning the first set 27:25.

The same Luxembourgish formation started into the second set. After the loss of the first point, Luxembourg was able to make four points in a row. The guest step by step forced the host team onto the defensive. Luxembourg could partly only dig the balls over the net. However, Luxembourg’s fight spirit awakened and the host team could gain a four-points advantage. Denmark reduced the score to 10:8 in favour of Luxembourg. Three mistakes on the Danish side expanded the discrepancy again to 12:8. The Luxembourgish setter Michèle Breuer made two aces, finally bringing Luxembourg 16:11 to the fore. Middle blocker Lara Ernster entered the court, scoring right afterwards with a feint towards position six. Luxembourg entered the 20-points mark at first at a score of 20:16. Betty Hoffmann hit an ace, forcing Denmark to take a timeout at 21:15. Andrej Gorbachev tried a double substitution with Emeringer/Kiefer for Hoffmann/Breuer. However, Denmark could tie the score to 19:21, then 22:21 for the host team. An ace by Isabelle Frisch brought Luxembourg the first set ball at 24:21. A line smash by Patricia Noesen ended the second set 25:21.

The third set started with a neck-and-neck race. Luxembourg had difficulties to get the Danish middle blocker Lykke Degner under control. However, effective services on the Luxembourgish side minimised the possibilities for the Danish setter. The first technical timeout was kicked-off at 8:6. Denmark reached to balance at 9:9, gained the lead at 10:9 and extended it to 15:11. Nathalie Braas substituted Patricia Noesen due to last’s lack of concentration. Luxembourg could balance at 15:15. Nonetheless, Denmark came to the fore at the second technical timeout due to a failure in service by Michèle Breuer. Both teams gave each other a run for their money, fighting for every ball. In the end, Luxembourg was left with nothing, falling four points behind. Luxembourg fended off three set balls at 24:20, 24:21 and 24:22. However, Claude Bichel served into the net. Denmark could win its second set.

In the beginning of the fourth set, Denmark scored the first points, gaining a cushion until the first technical timeout at 8:3. Andrej Gorbachev substituted the experienced National player Isabelle Frisch with the young talent Nathalie Brass as well as Michèle Breuer with Martine Emeringer. Denmark nevertheless could score another two points in a row. Luxembourg seemed to have lost its concentration, making unnecessary mistakes. The reception and defence did not reach the net, complicating the play of the setter.
Denmark was still leading far ahead, when the referee announced the second technical timeout at 16:7. Luxembourg had lost its spirit. Andrej Gorbachev tried to re-motivate his team when he took his second timeout at 18:8. Corinne Steinbach substituted Claude Bichel during the middle of the set. Denmark still had an advance of more than seven points, winning the decisive fourth set to 16.

The FLVB awarded the “Trophée Deni Krivova” to the best young player of the tournament, the Austrian attacker Katharina Schützenhofer. In the end, Luxembourg honoured its Ex-National players Patricia Gengler, Patricia Huijnen, Coralie Watry, Julie Zorn, Véronique Steffen, Carel Zuidberg and the new team manager of the Luxembourgish National team Massimo Tarantini, who also received the silver medal as sports men with more than 170 matches for the Luxembourgish National Volleyball team from the Luxembourgish sports minister.