Netherlands shout out Belgium in 4 sets in Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad, Russia, June 12, 2016 - Netherlands prevailed in the 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 20-25) encounter with Belgium in Pool C1 of the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix on Sunday evening. Lonneke Sloetjes was her team's best scorer for the third time this weekend.
The Dutch team stopped Belgium's hopes to get its first victory in 2016 World Grand Prix as the neighbours clashed for the fourth time in the history of the competition. Netherlands are now second in the pool C1, but await the result of Russia's match with Turkey to find out the final pool ranking. Lonneke Sloetjes led her team once again, scoring 26 points, all in attack. On the other side of the net Lise Van Hecke was Belgium's best scorer with 14 points.
With the help of some prolific attacking of Plak Celeste the Netherlands took a five points advantage in the beginning of the first set at 6-1 and maintained it by the first technical time-out. They made some errors in service and reception, allowing Belgium to even the score 10-10, but quickly regrouped to take the lead again 15-11. Netherlands held control with massive spikes of Plak Celeste and Belien Yvon and finished the first set 25-20.
Belgium experienced the better start in the second set, sending fierce kills to the Netherland’s side. Nevertheless Lonneke Sloetjes and Yvon Belien managed to overwhelm the Belgium defenders to level the score and widen it to 9-7. Gert Vande Broek called his team for a time-out, but Netherlands kept stretching the gap to 15-10. Both teams made substitutions after reaching the score 17-15, but only Netherlands benefited from their break as they extended the lead to 20-17. Netherlands slowed down giving up three points in a row, but another time-out helped them add necessary points to close the set 21-25.
Belgium rallied to a 6-4 lead to open the third set and successfully made the Dutch uncomfortable with their serve. Smart team play of Belgium boosted to a 6 points lead and forced Giovanni Guidetti to ask for a time-out at 11-5. Belgium stormed further, hitting hard in all angles. It gave them a huge advantage 16-8. Netherlands couldn’t respond appropriately as their defence failed, allowing Belgium to go 22-16 and finish it soon after at 25-18.
Fourth set saw both teams trading the points 5-5 and lead changes ensued on the court until the first technical time-out. Lise Van Hecke and Charlotte Leys ran their swift attacks, but Netherlands had some steam left to respond 16-14. Belgium made some substitutions, trying to struggle with Netherland’s domination, nevertheless they trailed behind 21-17. Lonneke Sloetjes and her teammates put more pressure, impossible for Belgium to overcome, and the set conceded 20-25.