Before the hot Slovenes in Rio, the Americans fell
Slovenian volleyball players defeated the United States in the third match of the Nations League in Rio de Janeiro (22, 25, -20, 23) and continue excellent performances in the first Tournament of the League of Nations in Rio de Janeiro. In their third game they won the third time, after Cuba and Iran They were better than the US team this time.
Couldn’t help you either Luke the badwho performs the role of an assistant of the selector. The Slovenes showed another very good performance, and especially in the playoffs. They only had a crisis in the third set and the start of the fourth, but thanks to the younger part of the national team, the duo Nejc Najdič and Nik Mujanovic also beat.
Although Slovenian volleyball players did not have much time to rest, as only just under 15 hours from the end of the game against Iran passed, they did not know it on the court. The beginning was not the most encouraging, because of the mistakes, Tine Urnautwhich is the way as Tonky He rested against the Iranians, he did four of them, were already lagging behind 9:14 in the middle of the set. But they found the real rhythm in time. Also Urnaut, which is along with Jan Kozamernik and Žigo Sternthis one gained an advantage in the first lineup before Rokom Mozicplayed the main role in the turnaround.
Slovenia -USA 3: 1 (22, 25, -20, 23)
Slovenia: T. Štern 11 (1 AS, 1 block), Kozamernik 9 (1 AS, 1 block), Marovt, Bracko, Vinčić, Štalekar, Okroglič, Kovačič, Ž. Stern 15 (3 aces), Urnaut 12 (1 AS, 1 block), Možič, Mujanovic 14 (2 ASA), Kržič 4 (1 block), Najdič 1.
All three have proven both in the attack and service. Kozamernik lowered the gap to 12:14, Žiga Štern approached the team to 18:19 with an unprecedented starting blow, equalized first, then secured two finishing balls with points in the team, and used the first with ace.
Kozamernik and Žiga Štern also played a major role in the second part of the second set. This period also showed that Slovenia has a wide bench, as they also added to Najdič and Mujanović in important moments, who replaced Dejan Vincic And Tončka Stern. Kozamernik took care that the Slovenes turned the gap of 15:17 into the lead 19:17, and Žiga Štern was a hero in the playoffs. He first won the lead with 24:22, then lost the attack by 25:23, but quickly corrected his mistake, with a point in the attack and ace he also finished the string.
After leading with 2: 0, the Slovenes went into a minor crisis. They lost the third set, and at the beginning of the fourth, behind with 1: 7 and 2: 8. But then Mujanovic stepped onto the scene. With excellent services, he scored two aces for five consecutive points, and at 9: 9, Urnaut equalized a few moments later. The even struggle took place until the end, and the Slovenes were more gathered in important moments, made fewer mistakes, so they were rewarded with a prestigious victory.
Fabio saltSelector of Slovenia: “It is clear that we are losing energy and that we are not the same and do not have the same focus and approach as we had in the first game. In today’s game, the US played our volleyball. The long points were mostly given to them. It was part of the match we fell in, we managed to return this bottom. I appreciate all my players who have been trying in all three games. Each time we fell, they fought and returned. With such spirit, I think we can do a really good job. Tomorrow we will see how much energy we will have to leave it on the pitch. It is not easy to play three games in 37 hours, but we will try to enjoy difficult times. This is our currently our style of play. I think we will be able to collect energy tomorrow and play as well as we can. «
The most effective in the Slovenian species was Žiga Štern, scored 15 points, Mujanovic contributed 14, captain Tina Urnaut 12. The Slovenes will play the last game of the first tournament on Sunday, and the rivals will be hosts.
