The Hague, Netherlands, June 18, 2017 - A hat-trick at home after victory over Czech Republic 3-1 (26-28, 25-17, 25-21, 25-13) gives Netherlands a huge satisfaction. Led by Wouter Ter Maat, Netherlands remain undefeated on their own ground.
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Latest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia GuidesTer Maat scored 22 points (20 attacks, 1 block and 1 serve), with captain Jasper Diefenbach showing great feeling in block with 6 kill blocks alongside 8 spikes. Czech Jan Galabov was the best scorer for his team with 15 points (13 spikes, 1 block and 1 ace).
Though the Netherlands were already certain of their starting tickets for the Final Four, head coach Gido Vermeulen started the closing match in Apeldoorn with his regular formation. The Dutch had created a modest margin at the second technical time out, but the Czech came aside (16-16) and took over the lead a few points later (18-19). The teams kept in pace and it was Czech Republic that reached set point at 23-24. Dutch captain Jasper Diefenbach managed to spike away the first two Czech set points, but due to a failing Dutch block, the opening set still became a prey for the visiting team: 26-28.
With Wouter ter Maat on service position, the Dutch prosperously marched to 5-1 in the second act. A kill block of Diefenbach on Marek Beer led to the first obligatory break (8-3). Flying Dutch man Thijs ter Horst signed for 12-7 with a powerful smash. The Czech approached, but did not manage to get closer than three points (13-10, 14-11). A red card for Jakub Janouch delivered the 16th point to the home team (16-11) and when the home team scored its seventh block point in the set, the set win was budding (23-14). Wouter ter Maat ended the set with a fierce spike: 25-17.
At 5-5, Robbert Andringa was forced to leave the playing ground due to an ankle injury, Gijs Jorna was his substitute. Still the squad of Gido Vermeulen managed to keep on the good side of the score (8-7). A few minutes later, the Czech led with 9-11, but an ace of Ter Horst helped the Dutch come aside again (11-11). A touch of the Czech block made the difference two points (21-19), but the next two were for Czech Republic (21-21). A block of Parkinson brought the Netherlands to set point, a Czech technical error ended the third act: 25-21.
Though the start of the fourth act was for the Netherlands (3-0), the Czech levelled at 4-4. The Dutch kept on the good side of the score (7-6, 9-7) and finally managed to create a gap that had grown out to 9 points at the second technical time out (16-7). At 19-10, Michaël Parkinson was the second Dutch player that had to leave the match due to an injury, his position was taken over by Thomas Koelewijn. With an ace, substitute Robin Overbeeke brought the set to 23-12, a block of substitute Wessel Keemink meant match point (24-12) for the Dutch. A service in the net of Janouch made the win final: 25-13.