Luxembourg on to the finals after incredible 43-41 set!
Friday, 06.06.14 :
Faroe Islands vs. Luxembourg 3:1 (25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 25-14)
The two teams have had some hard-fought matches through the years and everybody was expecting an even match. It turned out the islanders had other ideas. After winning the first two sets in a relatively secure manner, although still with some hard-fought duels, the girls from the Grand Duchy fought back to win the third set by 25-16. It seems to have taken a toll on their energy as they never stood any chance in the fourth set, leaving the Faroese team to win the match by 3:1.
The Luxembourgish captain Isabelle Frisch had an outstanding match scoring 18 points for her team as well as being good in reception and defense, but her team was unable to capitalize on that. The Faroese team played a solid game with Sofia Purkhus and Trine Guttesen leading the way, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Iceland vs. Liechtenstein 3:0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-15)
Saturday, 07.06.14:
Luxembourg vs. Liechtenstein 3:0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-21)
Both teams really needed the victory today after losing their opening matches. After a slow start from both sides the Luxembourgish team started to show its dominance. The players from the Grand Duchy made a solid display to achieve a straight-set win. The main difference, compared to their match yesterday, was the power in attack, mainly from Annalena Mach, Betty Hoffmann and Isabelle Frisch.
Annalena Mach with 20 points was the top scorer of the match. Barbara Marxer was the highest scorer for Liechtenstein with 11 points.
Detlev Schönberg, head coach of Luxembourg: “We had good control of the game and managed to show our better sides. As opposed to yesterday’s match, which we lost to the Faroe Islands, our reception was much better. We needed a victory today and I am happy with this result.”
Jürgen Albrecht, head coach of Liechtenstein: “Our serving and reception were not in accordance with the plan. We therefore struggled the whole match and were unable to offer any direct threat from attack.”
Faroe Islands vs. Iceland 3:0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-16).
With its second win in the tournament, the Faroese team has already secured its place in the finals for the first time. Luxembourg and Iceland will face each other in a direct clash for the second ticket from Reykjavik to next year’s Final Round in Liechtenstein.
Sunday, 08.06.14:
In the last match Luxembourg shut out Iceland by 3:0 (25-18, 25-18, 43-41) in a direct clash for the second qualifying berth from the pool. The last set was a real delight to the audience as it offered the spectators an amazing drama of 84 rallies that went on for 51 minutes.
Luxembourg vs. Iceland 3:0 (25-18, 25-18, 43-41)
Both teams were off to a nervous start with some mistakes in serving and attacking. The first set was a close encounter until 11-11 when the girls from Luxembourg found their rhythm. The Icelandic team started to struggle in reception and was unable to mount a good attack. Driven by powerful attacks, the Lionesses took the first set by 25-19. The second set was more of the same with Luxembourg being a step ahead throughout the set. With strong serves setting the tone, the squad from the Grand Duchy closed the set at 25-18. In the third set the Icelandic team fought back and took an early lead which it hung on and on and on until they finally lost the grip in the end resulting in an overtime loss. The set finished after an incredible 51 minutes of play and a record final score of 43-41! As this final set went on, both teams put on an amazing display of unwillingness to give in. Unfortunately for the home team, it committed errors in the conclusive moments leading to the defeat.
The top scores were Jona Gudlaug Vigfusdottir with 24 points for Iceland and Isabelle Frisch scoring 21 points for Luxembourg.
Liechtenstein vs. Faroe Islands 1:3 (17-25, 25-19, 14-25, 14-25)
VC STRASSEN was well represented with 3 players: Leah Dickhoff, Jil Bosquée and Anne Schoetter. Furthermore, Massimo Tarantini was acting as Assistant Coach.
Source: www.flvb.lu