Challenger Cup-2023. Semifinals
July 29, Saturday
Turkey - Ukraine - 3:2 (18:25, 25:23, 25:17, 19:25, 15:13)
The starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Tupchii (scored 17 points), Synytsia (5), Semeniuk (11), Teromenko (10), Kovalov (14), Plotnytskyi (22), Kanaiev (l), Boiko (l). Substitutes: Yevstratov (0), Poluian (0). Shchurov (0), Kisiliuk (0).
The principled and important duel between this year's finalists of the European Golden League, and now the semi-finalists of the Challenger Cup, started with +3 for Turkey (0:3). The advantage continued to grow (1:6), but the Ukrainians gradually made up for lost time (8:8), and then, thanks to Illia Kovalov's aces, took the lead (11:12). Our opponent was noticeably nervous and made a number of mistakes. Meanwhile, the wards of Uģis Krastiņš, on the contrary, gained confidence and, in the end, won the opening set of the meeting - 25:18.
In the second set, the Turkish athletes began to press psychologically: they constantly talked to the referees and argued emotionally over the decision of each barely controversial rally. However, our Cossacks bravely withstood these attacks. The Ukrainians calmly and coolly organized a comfortable advantage for themselves (3:5 – 11:16). But at some point, the game turned upside down: the advantage melted away, and the tribune of the arena in Doha was already celebrating Turkey's winning set - 23:25.
In the third set, the game of the "blue yellows" did not go well and they gave it to their opponents almost without hesitation - 17:25.
What followed was an even game (12:12) and a quality game by the Ukrainian national team: two blocks by Dmytro Teromenko put the teams ahead 15:17. Alberto Giuliani tried to change the course of the match with time-outs. However, the courage of the "blue yellows" could not be stopped (23:18). Oleh Plotnytskyi and company were able to lead the game to a tie-break - 25:19.
And then... then there was "déjà vu"! 0:5 in favor of Turkey. Our volleyball players were able to improve their score a little (11:13). But they were still in the role of catching ups. As a result, Ukraine lost to Turkey for the second time this season - 13:15 and 2-3.
This defeat means that Ukraine will again play in the European Golden League next season.
Our opponent reaches the finals of the 2023 Challenger Cup. There, Turkey will play against the winner of the Qatar-Chile match.
And on July 30, Ukraine will compete for the bronze awards of the tournament. The opponent and match time will be announced later.
