Hong Kong, China, June 26, 2016 – The Netherlands stun Germany in a drama-filled three-setter (26-24, 25-20, 25-22) in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Both teams traded points at the beginning of the match, with score close at 8-7 at the first technical time-out. Each side showed diverse attacks and good defense in their contest for third place in the Pool H. Germany improved their serves and attacks which helped them gain 3 consecutive points to go 11-8 up. Louisa Lippmann's spectacular spikes helped Germany to a two-point advantage at the second technical time-out. The Netherlands managed to tie things up quickly by making it 16-all. Neither team could establish more than a three-point lead. The Netherlands clawed back thanks to their powerful attacks which forced Germany to call their first time-out.
A smart tip by Laura Dijkema gave the Netherlands a set boint before they sealed the deal at 26-24.
Set two saw an even play only until the first technical time-out as the Netherlands were able to find another gear pulling away into a 10-7 lead. Denise Hanke’s impressive serves helped Germany fight back and score three points in a row, but Robin De Kruijf's booming attack in the middle allowed the Netherlands maintan their lead after the second technical time-out at 18-14. Although Germany fought hard to narrow the gap, the Netherlands’ convincing performance gave them the set by 25 to 20.
The Netherlands played more aggressively in the third set and the recipe worked well helping them to a commanding 5-0 lead. A long battle between the two teams triggered loud cheering in the whole stadium, yet the Dutch girls showed more confidence in their attacks and defense to maintain the margin at the first technical time-out, 8-3. The shaky Germany committed several serve errors, Jana Franziska Poll and Louisa Lippmann tried their best to turn things around by reinforcing their attacks, but the gap maintained at 3 points at the second technical time-out. Denise Hanke's impressive service form continued as she helped Germany score 5 points in a row at 22-23. Just when Germany still kept the hope of winning the set, Lonneke Slöetjes led the dominant Netherlands to seal the set as well as the match at 25-22. This is their first win of the weekend in Hong Kong.