European Championship-2023. Group round. Group B. The fourth match
September 4, Monday
Ukraine - Finland - 3:2 (25:23, 25:17, 23:25, 24:26, 15:13)
Starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Plotnytskyi (scored 20 points), Synytsia (1), Semeniuk (13), Shchurov (7), Kovalov (18), Tupchii (20), Kanaiev (l), Boiko (l). Substitutes: Kucher (0), Kisiliuk (1), Poluian (0), Yevstratov (1).
Head coach: Uģis Krastiņš.
Starting line-up of the national team of Finland: Tervaportti (scored 5 points), Zhbankov (9), Suihkonen (22), Marttila (20), Haapaniemi (7), Jokela (5), Köykkä (libero). Substitutes: Nikula (16), Niinivaara (0), Kaislasalo (0), Ivanov (0).
Head coach: Joel Banks.
All or nothing! The game between Ukraine and Finland took place under this slogan. After all, the Ukrainians had to win this match to continue the fight for the playoffs.
Despite the fact that the duel took place in the Bulgarian city of Varna, there were a lot of Finnish fans in the stands. They loudly supported their team and helped keep the score even (7:7). Our team was able to break ahead on a serve of our opposite player Vasyl Tupchii (19:15). Credit must be given to the opponents: they fought for every ball and showed an incredibly cool defensive game. The Finns were breathing "blue-yellows" right in the back all the time, but Tupchii, with an attack from the second zone, scored a victory point in the opening set - 25:23.
The second set was completely controlled by the wards of Ugis Krastinš from start to finish. They were flawless in attack and serving. It was especially difficult for the Finns to cope with Illia Kovalov's attacks and spikes (18:11). In the end, the Ukrainian volleyball players calmly won the second game in a row - 25:17.
The Finns started the third set very strongly (0:5). But step by step, our opponent began to make mistakes, and the "blue-yellow" team took advantage of the moment and took the lead thanks to a series of attacks (15:13). Then the score is even again (17:17 – 23:23). But... two consecutive blocks by Alex Zhbankov and Finland continues this important match for both teams - 23:25.
And then there was the fourth set of diagonal Aaro Nikula, who in the previous set "refreshed" his team and was simply unstoppable in attack. The Ukrainians simply could not stop him or other players of the Suomi team - 24:26 and 2-2.
The tie-break turned out to be difficult, both physically and emotionally. Only a victory preserved the chances of further fighting for the Top 16 best teams of the continent. Plotnytskyi served an ace in time, and the Ukrainian blockers used the block perfectly - 15:13 and Ukraine's first victory at Euro-2023.
The most effective players of the Ukrainian national team were captain Oleh Plotnytskyi and the opposite Vasyl Tupchiy. They scored 20 points each.
The Ukrainians will play the final match of the group round on September 5 at 17:30 Kyiv time. Our team will play against Spain. A victory with a score of 3:0 or 3:1 will bring the Ukrainians a place in the 1/8 finals.
