Helsinki, Finland, June 10, 2017 – Marcel Lux led Slovakia’s scoring with a personal haul of 19 as Andrej Kravarik’s team beat China 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-12, 25-21) in FIVB World League Group 2 on Saturday.
Slovakia began the second week of matches with three wins from three, but slipped to a defeats to Australia on Thursday and host nation Finland on Friday night, before they rallied to beat China.
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Lux was well-supported in attack by Peter Ondrovic and Stefan Chrtiansky, who scored 15 points apiece. Chuanhang Tang led China’s scoring with 13.
Defeat means China finish the week without a win, which takes their record to one win and five matches. Their next three fixtures take place on home turf and they will meet Turkey, Japan and Australia in Kunshan.
Slovakia had a great start in the first set. The led 8-5, 12-7 and 16-11 thanks to good block defence and some powerful spikes and won the set.
China came back at the second set and put Slovakia in trouble. China won even points in a row to lead 9-2 and Slovakia could not find any way to change the pace to allow China to win the set 25-17.
In the third set Slovakia’s retook control of the game. They led at 15-5 and quickly wrapped up the set, 25-12.
The fourth set was more exciting than the earlier ones. Both teams fought hard and the set was tied at 17-17. At the end Slovakia found the ways to win the set 25-21, and with it the match.