
Innsbruck, Austria, September 12, 2011. After Monday’s first match in Innsbruck in Pool C, the „Suomi“ certainly thought – „he laughs best that laughs last“. Finland beat Belgium 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) and secured their ticket for the playoff matches in Vienna.
2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men
Finland seems to be a real expert in lighting starts. Like in yesterday’s match against Italy they took an early lead. Well-prepared by Coach Daniel Castellani, they exactly knew what to do and showed an amazing block-performance in first set (5 points). Belgium started very poorly and played with less fighting spirit than the days before. Finland didn’t get in any troubles to win the first set (25-21).
In the second set Belgium finally realized the seriousness of the situation, tried to come back, but seemed helpless. Belgium’s defense wasn’t able to adapt to Finland’s opposite Mikko Oivanen, who scored just as he liked. Even though there were some critical moments for Finlan
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