Turkey breeze past Belgium in their first match of the 2016 WGP
Kaliningrad, Russia, June 10, 2016 - Turkey's Polen Uslupehlivan scored 20 points as her team swept aside Belgium 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 26-24) in their first Pool C1 match at 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix, claiming the win in front of Kaliningrad spectators at the SK Yantarny.
The next best scorer for Turkey was Yildirim Fatma with 10 points, while Belgium's Britt Herbots scored a team-high 13 for Belgium. The Yellow Tigers were not able to repeat their win over Turkey at Montreux Masters, failing to score a single set today. It was the third World Grand Prix encounter between both teams, with previous two won by each side.
Both teams started the first set trading points 3-3, before Belgium took a slim advantage, forcing Turkey to make mistakes at the net 3-7. After the first TTO Belgium took the full control with impressive attacks. Akbas Ferhat took his first time-out to help his team find the right rhythm. Turkey fought well to cut down the gap within two points 12-14. The Turkish team were not able to sustain their focus and allowed Belgium to outrun once again 17-21. Nevertheless they found some resources to bounce back and level the score 21-21. Belgium suddenly seemed to lose control of the blistering attacks from the Turkish side and had to yield the set 25-22.
Neither of the teams was leading at the beginning of the second set. Aydinlar Nursevil helped her side with successful spikes as they kept the upper hand by the first TTO 8-5. Belgium experienced difficult times trailing behind Turkey 11-5. Powerful aces by Yildirim Fatma and Uslupehlivan Polen kept the comfortable advantage for Turkey 17-10. Belgium’s brilliant blocks and self-sacrificing defense helped them reach 22-21, but their hopes vanished as Turkey were stronger 25-23.
The break between the second and the third set helped Belgium find their rhythm and turn the tables 6-8. Britt Herbots and Lise Van Hecke spiked muscularly to keep crucial advantage for Belgium 12-14. Turkey tried to find appropriate tactics to regain the control, while Belgium displayed variable offence 20-22. Belgium reached the set point 22-24, but lost their chance twice before Turkey made the score even 24-24, switched the gears for quick attacks and closed the set 26-24.