POL v LTU

Lithuania break losing streak to stay alive in search for 9th place

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Lithuania put an end to their five-match losing streak, outclassing Poland 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23) to grab a spot in the 9-10 positions playout at the 2019 Sitting Volleyball Men’s European Championships here Thursday morning.

With 13 points by Darius Ziaucyna plus 12 more each from Ramunas Rojus and captain Eduardas Strasunskas, Lithuania outblocked Poland 9 to 5 and clinched the crucial win despite lagging in the other skills.

The result gives Lithuania, who had previously lost all their pool play matches, a chance to battle it out for 9th place in the final ranking against either Turkey or Hungary.

Poland, reeling on the disappointment of having very narrowly just missed out on a quarterfinal ticket, will now have to play for 11th place against either Hungary or Turkey.

It also means Lithuania are still in with a chance for a direct ticket to the 2021 European Championship, if they can grab the coveted 9th place. Poland will have to play next year in the newly-formed Division B to fight for a place in the next Euros.

HUN v TUR

Turkey grab first win at 2019 #EuroSittingVolley, set sights on 9th place

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – After losing all five of their pool play matches, Turkey scored their first win at the 2019 Sitting Volleyball Men’s European Championships here today outlasting hosts Hungary 3-2 (17-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19, 15-9) in the 9-12 positions playoffs.

Mehmet Yilmaz bagged a day’s high of 30 points to lead Turkey, as Hungary’s Robert Kertesz came in just two short, at 28. The two sides were on par in serving, with 10 aces each, but the Balkan side was more efficient in attacking.

Turkey are still in with a chance for a direct ticket to the 2021 European Championship, if they can grab the coveted 9th place in their match tomorrow against Lithuania. Hungary, who now have to play for 11th place against Poland tomorrow here in the Hungarian capital, will be in the newly-formed Division B to fight next year for a place in the 2021 Euros.

BIH v LAT

Bosnia & Herzegovina first through to #EuroSittingVolley men’s semis

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Bosnia & Herzegovina are the first team to make the men’s semifinals at the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships, following their quarterfinal win over Latvia 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-18) here on Thursday afternoon.

Ermin Jusufovic and captain Sabahudin Delalic each scored 13 points to lead the 2017 bronze medallists, who outblocked (7 to 2) and outserved Latvia.

Bosnia & Herzegovina will meet the winner of the Ukraine v Croatia match in tomorrow’s semifinal, while Latvia will play the loser of that game for positions 5-8.

RUS v SRB

Russia sweep Serbia to advance to men’s 2019 #EuroSittingVolley semi-finals

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Defending champions Russia claimed the second ticket to the men’s semifinals at the 2019 European Sitting Volleyball European Championships after their 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-17) sweep of Serbia in the quarterfinals here Thursday afternoon.

Viktor Milenin and Aleksandr Baichik each scored 11 points – the only players in the match to go into double digits. Russia’s serving (23 aces) and attacking (32/63 for 51%) was their strong point in their 42-minute win.

Russia will now face the winner of the Germany v the Netherlands match in Friday’s semifinals. Serbia will play against the loser of that match for positions 9-12.

UKR v CRO

Ukraine complete men’s semifinal puzzle at 2019 #EuroSittingVolley

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Ukraine completed the men’s semifinals lineup at the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships with a tight and intense win over Croatia 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21) in the last of Thursday evening’s quarterfinals.

Denys Bytchenko scored 16 points for the 2017 silver medallists, but the match high was 17 points by Croatia’s Edvin Zdionica. Ukraine lacked in both attacking and blocking, but made up for it with better receiving and serving.

Ukraine meet nine-time European Champions Bosnia & Herzegovina in Friday’s semifinals, while Croatia play Latvia for positions 5-8.

GER v NED

Germany shut out the Netherlands for ticket to semifinals

Budapest, Hungary, 18 July 2019 – Germany made the men’s semfinals of the 2019 Sitting Volleyball European Championships cruising past the Netherlands 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-18) in Thursday evening quarterfinal action here.

Dominik Albrecht scored a match high 18 points to lead Germany, who had double the attacking efficiency of the Dutch but also outserved (8 to 4) and outblocked (6 to 3) them.

Germany have a daunting task in the quarterfinals, up against defending champions Russia on Friday. The Netherlands meet Serbia for positions 5-8.