European Championship-2023. Playoffs. 1/8 of the final

September 9, Saturday

Portugal - Ukraine - 0:3 (20:25, 19:25, 22:25)

Starting line-up of the Ukrainian national team: Plotnytskyi (scored 15 points), Synytsia (1), Semeniuk (9), Shchurov (8), Kovalov (11), Tupchii (8), Kanaiev (l), Boiko (l). Substitutes: Kucher (0).

Head coach: Ugis Krastinš.

Starting line-up of the Portugal national team: Sinfronio (6), Tsveticanin (3), Marques (1), Ferreira (16), Martins (12), Tavares (0), Casas (libero). Substitutes: Violas (0), Pinto (0), Pereira (3).

Head coach: Miguel Jose.

The Ukrainians entered the court ready for victory and immediately took the lead (8:5). The coach of the Portuguese had to take a time-out to slow down the pace of the "blue-yellows" game. Fortunately, our boys did not pay attention to this and continued to move forward (12:8 - 18:10). A comfortable advantage allowed the Ukrainians to take risks on the serve, and the setter Yurii Synytsia calmly and variably gave passes to his teammates - 25:20.

Then we saw a more or less equal game (5:5 - 7:7). The Portuguese tried not to let the Ukrainians score points, but the ace of Illia Kovalov and the fast game of the captain Oleh Plotnytskyi did not leave them a single chance (16:13). The wards of Ugis Krastinš had everything: serves, blocks, defense and, of course, powerful attacks - 25:19.

In the third set, the Ukrainians again took the lead from the opening minutes, thanks to two blocks and an ace by Yurii Semeniuk (3:0). And they gradually increased their advantage (16:11 - 20:13). The Portuguese only waved their hands, not understanding what to do with our Cossacks. In the end, 25:22 and a confident victory in the match 3-0.

The national team of Ukraine enters the quarterfinals of Eurovolley 2023! Congratulations to our team!

On September 11, in the 1/4 final match of the European Championship, Ukrainian volleyball players will play against the Slovenian national team, which today defeated Turkey (3:2).