Friendly game

Nitra, Slovakia. May 22, 2023

Slovakia - Ukraine - 2:3 (25:22, 20:25, 25:18, 22:25, 7:15)

The starting line-up of the National team of Ukraine: Svitlana Dorsman (c), Daria Sharhorodska, Oleksandra Milenko, Anastasiia Maievska, Yuliia Dymar, Anastasiia Kraiduba, Krystyna Niemtseva (l), Alika Lutsenko (l). Substitutes: Uliana Kotar, Viktoriia Danchak, Viktoriia Oliinyk.

The starting minutes of the match belonged to the home team: they made fewer mistakes, and when they had the opportunity, successfully completed their attacks (3:6). Ukrainians periodically equalized the score (14:14 – 22:23). But the end was still up to the Slovakia volleyball players – 22:25.

In the second set, the setter Shargorodska and the opposite Kraiduba established a game connection. The block of our captain Svitlana Dorsman also came in handy (5:1). In defense, libero Kristina Niemtseva was excellent, which made it possible to win break points and stay further from rivals (23:18). Yuliia Dymar put an end to this set with an attack from the fourth zone – 25:20.

In the third set, it was more difficult for the Ukrainians to cope with the reception, instead, the Slovakia volleyball players implemented a powerful serve and played well in the attack (1:5 - 10:15). Ivan Petkov's players failed to turn the tide of this set – 18:25.

A fairly even game followed (5:5 – 11:11 – 16:16). But this time, our national team acted concentratedly and thanks to teamwork were able to win the set - 25:22 and move the match to a tie-break.

The start of the decisive set was in favor of Ukraine (5:2 – 9:4). This double advantage gave strength and confidence to our team, and quite confused and knocked off the pace of the opponents. In the end, 15:7 and 3-2 in favor of the national team of Ukraine!

The second game will take place tomorrow, May 23, at 18:30 Kyiv time.