FIN v GBR

Finland ladies open #EuroSittingVolley victorious

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July, 2019 – Finland very convincingly beat Great Britain 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-6) in the women’s competition, as the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships got underway here today.

Maria Viitala led the scoring for Finland with a match-high of 16 points as the winners produced highly efficient receiving and attacked for 65% (28 kills from 43 swings) to Great Britain’s 34% (12/35).

Finland have another game to go on this opening day of the European Championships, when they come up against defending champions Russia at 15:45 local time (15:45 GMT). Great Britain also see action later today when they face Ukraine at 17:30 (15:30 GMT).

ITA v UKR

Italy outserve Ukraine for solid opening day win

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July, 2019 – Italy outperformed Ukraine 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-18) on the opening day of the women’s competition at the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships here today.

The Italians served an impressive 18 aces to overwhelm Ukraine, with four each by Eva Ceccatelli and Giulia Aringhieri. Ceccatelli also bagged a match-high 10 points overall.

Ukraine play again later today, meeting Great Britain at 17:30 local time (15:30 GMT), as both sides seek their first win.

GER v SLO

Germany hold off Slovenia for 3-1 win in acing fest

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July 2019 – Germany managed to hold off Slovenia’s attempt at a comeback, opening their 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championship campaign with a hard-earned 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 16-25, 25-19) win on the opening day of the women’s competition here.

Michelle Schiffler (12) and Daniela Cierpka (11) both scored in double digits as Germany recovered from a a third-set setback to take a lead midway through the fourth and seal the win.

Slovenia captain Lena Gabrscek was the top scorer of the game with 16 points in a match which turned out a serving contest with 21 aces by Slovenia to 20 by Germany.

RUS v FIN

Russia begin defence of title with sweep of Finland

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July 2019 – Russia are off to a great start in their campaign to retain the continental title after shutting out Finland 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-12) on the opening day of the 2019 Sitting Volleyball Women’s European Championship.

For Finland it was the second match of the day, following their win in the morning over Great Britain.

Russia’s Tatiana Ivanova and Irina Smirnova, and Finland’s Maria Viitala were all joint top scorers of the game on 11 points each.

The defending champions were just that little bit better than their opponents in all skills, but also took advantage of 22 unforced errors by the Finnish side.

UKR v GBR

Ukraine find first 2019 Women’s #EuroSittingVolley win

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July 2019 – Ukraine scored their first win in the 2019 Sitting Volleyball Women’s European Championship, shutting out Great Britain 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-19) on the opening day of competition.

Ukraine are now 1-1 (after their morning defeat to Italy), but Great Britain (who had earlier lost to Finland) drop to 0-2.

Kateryna Koziar was the only player of either team to score in double digits with 10 points, as she led Ukraine to the win, despite being outblocked by Great Britain 7 to 4.

It was receiving that caused the downfall of Great Britain, as Ukraine aced 22 times.

CRO v HUN

Croatia overcome hosts Hungary in cliffhanger five-setter

Budapest, Hungary, 15 July 2019 – Croatia stunned hosts Hungary 3-2 (25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12) on the opening day of the 2019 Sitting Volleyball Women’s European Championship.

Croatia were led by Andreja Giba who scored 26 points. The winners were outserved 14 to 19, but dominated on the net with 16 blocks to 8 and a more efficient attack.

Croatia had to fight back after trailing Hungary by as many points as three at 9-12, before bringing the match home with a 4-0 run at the end.

The win sees Croatia with a 1-0 record, to Hungary’s 0-1, as the teams in both pools of the women’s tournament jostle for position ahead of the quarterfinals.