Slovenia of Cebulj and Urnaut turn out to be ‘the nightmare’ for Belgium

Bologna, Italy, September 21, 2018. In a re-match of the first round of FIVB Men’s World Championship Slovenia stunned once again the team of Belgium, seizing a straight 3-0 (26-28, 26-28, 25-19) victory over them. This time the players, coached by Slobodan Kovac and led on the field by the top scorer Klemen Cebulj (17 points), turned out to be an even tougher opponent for the Red Dragoons. Despite the real battle between both sides during the first two sets, Slovenia showed they deserved more to emerge victorious from this matchup.

Cebulj, together with Mitja Gasparini (14 points) and Tine Urnaut (13 points) were the main heroes in the Slovenian team, showing not only good volleyball skills, but leadership spirit in the decisive moments too.

In this very anticipated match-revenge, Belgium couldn’t take the best out of their opportunities. Although Bram Van Den Dries (11 points in the match) was giving his best on the field, supported by captain Sam Deroo (14 points in the match), this was not enough to deliver another result in this match.

Supporters of both Slovenia and Belgium made the atmosphere in PalaDozza amazing, cheering up for their teams and enjoying the volleyball show of the year in the city of Bologna.

Slovenia took a small lead in the beginning of the first set as Belgium seemed to be more tense, letting unforced errors to impact the result. Good performance on the service line by Tomas Rousseaux (one ace as well) helped the Belgian to come back at 10-10 and 11-11 and even lead at 13-11. The Red Dragoons kept on leading after good play on block and defence until the 19th point, when Tine Urnaut&co took the initiative for leading at 21-20. Sam Deroo responded with a block and fighting spirit in those moments. but Mitja Gasparini’s strong serve made it difficult for Belgium. Klemen Cebulj (seven points in the set) was performing excellent on attack and Urnaut closed the set in Slovenia’s favour at 28-26 with a sharp attack.

It was a close game in the second set, but Slovenia tried to take the control with strong play on attack. Belgium’s players did not ‘agree’ with that and equalized at 14-14. Good play by Urnaut and Alen Pajenk in the centre helped Slovenia take a small two-points lead (19-17). Both sides were fighting for each point, amazing the volleyball fans with fast rallies. Again Pajenk was outstanding with an ace for 24-19, but Belgium saved the first set point. Sam Deroo’s ace brought back the intrigue in the set. The good performance by the Belgian captain continued and the fight was on, as Slovenia lost a little bit of concentration (two serve mistakes as well), but eventually closed the set in their favour at 28-26.

‘The usual suspects’ in the team of Slovenia during this match - Tine Urnaut, Mitja Gasparini and Klemen Cebulj were the main figures in the also in third set (Urnaut and Gasparini with aces). Beglium could not find a respond to this well- organized play and Slovenia emerged victorious at 25-19.

Source: http://www.fivb.org