Shock! Netherlands defeat Brazil in spectacular match!

Ruse, Bulgaria, September 15, 2018. The Netherlands shocked with the biggest surprise in Pool B at the 2018 FIVB World Championship! Gido Vermeulen’s players achieved an amazing win against the current Olympic champion Brazil 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21) in one of the most interesting matches in “Arena Monbat”. The Europeans were one set behind but managed to come back for their second win against this opponent in the history of this major volleyball event! The first one happened 52 years ago in Czechoslovakia in 1966!

The South Americans started the match with an aggressive powerful serve. On the other hand, the Netherlands made too many unforced errors (11) and Brazil won the opening set by 25-21. Douglas Souza topped the list of the scorers in the first minutes with 5 points.

The second set was completely different story. The Netherlands reduced the unforced errors and made only 3 during the whole set. Gido Vermeulen’s players also started to play pretty well in attack and block, which led them to 25-20. Thijs Ter Horst was the most prolific player on the field in this minutes with 10 points.

The Europeans took early 4-point advantage (11-7) in the third set, but with a great serving by Lucas Saatkamp and unbelievable blocking by Lipe, Brazil came back and made the result 12-11. With great team work in all aspects of the game and fighting spirit for every single ball, the Hollands smashed Brazil and won the set by 25-20.

In the fourth set the Dutch continued to be the better team on the field and took 5-point advantage 18-13. Despite the tough situation Brazil managed to come back but in the end Renan Dal Zotto’s players made a lot of unforced errors and the Netherlands achieved one of their biggest volleyball victories after 25-21!

Wouter Ter Maat finished as a top scorer for the winners with 16 points! Thijs Ter Horst added 15 for the Dutch. For Brazil Lucas Saatkamp and Douglas Souza scored 13 points each.

Source: fivb.org