Euro Golden League-2023. Group stage. Group B
5th round Łódź, Poland (Łódź Sport Arena)
June 14, Wednesday
Ukraine - Belgium - 3:0 (25:21, 25:14, 25:13)
Starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Tupchii (scored 15 points), Shchytkov (1), Semeniuk (8), Teromenko (5), Kovalov (11), Plotnytskyi (14), Kanaiev (l), Boiko (l). Substitutes: Synytsia (0), Shchurov (2), Poluian (1), Kisiliuk (2).
Despite the lack of tournament significance for the Ukrainian team, coach Uģis Krastiņš decided not to change the starting line-up. The well-known "six" took to the court of Łódź Arena: Tupchii, Shchytkov, Semeniuk, Teromenko, Kovalov, Plotnytskyi, and libero Kanaiev.
As in previous matches, "blue-yellow" tried to act without mistakes. Great teamwork and an almost perfect attack percentage from captain Oleh Plotnytskyi (scored 7 out of 9 points - 86%) resulted in the victory in the opening set. The opposite Vasyl Tupchii completed it with an ace - 25:21.
At the beginning of the second set, Tupchii continued his "extravaganza" in the attack and on the serve (11:6). In total, for the set he realized 83% of attacks (scored 5 out of 6), performed 2 blocks, and made 3 aces! The Ukrainians ended this episode with a crushing score - 25:14.
In the third set, several substitutions by Belgium coach Emanuel Zanini did not give the desired result: the Ukrainians continued to dictate the pace of the game and prevailed in all elements of it (14:7). With such an advantage, Uģis Krastiņš gave a chance to play to players who until now had less game practice, namely Tymofii Poluian, Vladyslav Shchurov, and Yevhen Kisiliuk. They brought the case to its logical conclusion without any problems - and a so-called "easy" victory - 25:13 and 3:0!
The Ukrainians dominated the opponent in all game indicators: 8 aces against 0, 61% of attacks against 38%, and 10 blocks against 5!
The most productive player in the meeting was our opposite Vasyl Tupchii. He scored 15 points.
For the Ukrainians, this is the fifth consecutive "easy" victory in the matches of the group stage of the European Golden League 2023. Previously, the "Cossacks" defeated North Macedonia (3:0), Croatia (3:0 and 3:0), and Belgium (3:0). Our team continues to lead the standings of group B, having the maximum number of points - 15.
We would like to remind you that the team of Uģis Krastiņš secured a place in the "Final Four" early in the fourth round.
On June 18 at 21:15 Kyiv time, our national team will play against North Macedonia. This will be the final match of the group round of the European Golden League 2023. The match will take place in the capital of Macedonia - Skopje. The entrance is free!
Watch online broadcasts of all matches involving the men's and women's national teams of Ukraine on the YouTube channel DIVISPORT.
