Linz, Austria, 9 Jun, 2017 –
Daniel Rocamora Blazquez paved the way for his team in a fascinating five-setter against Mexico.
Rocamora’s 17 points together with 16 points scored by
Sergio Noda Blanco led Spain to a victory in the tightly-contested match.
Nestor Orellana was Mexico’s top scorer at 16.
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Media GuidesIn set one both teams started on an equal footing. At the first technical time-out Spain was 8-7 in the lead. But after this break the Mexicans, who have lost the first duel in Barcelona last weekend 0:3, assumed control and broke away 17-14. With a time-out the 2007´s European Champion managed to come back once again. Nevertheless, the three times NORCECA-silver medal winner stood firm and scored the second set point to 25-23.
The following break Spain´s head coach Fernando Munoz seemed to use in the right way. With a considerably improved performance Spain scored an early 4-0-lead. Out of a solid receiving the Iberians have shown some spectacular points. With a smart lob over the Mexican blocking Miguel Angel Formes extended the lead. So, in the second technical time-out, the favourite scored 16-11. The decisive reason for this led was the superiority in blocking, too. After 52 minutes Francisco Ruiz used the third set point for 25-18.
Despite leveling in sets, Mexico appeared unimpressed. With an ace, Jorge Barajas scored 3:1. Nestor Orellana used another ace to increase the advantage to 7:4. After the first technical time-out, the Final Four host broke away. Barajas closed a very spectacular attack for 15-11. Now, the Mexicans took over control. With a blocking, Samuel Cordova scored 20-15. Soon after Orellana scored again the last point for 25-21 and the 2-1-lead in sets.
This deficit in sets was like a wakening call for Spain. They set a furious pace in set four and after two blocking points, Spain went into the first technical time-out leading 8-2. And they kept the speed. Daniel Rocamora finished the point to 11-3 in great style. Concurrently, this was the preliminary decision in set four. Indeed, the Mexicans proved, what fighters they are. But after a very tough defense, Spain ground out their first set point. A moment after, a service error scored for Spain 25-19.
So, a tie-break had to bring the match to a head. In this fifth and last set, the Spains were a class of its own. Rocamora put his team with 7-3 ahead. Furthermore, the team of head coach Munoz did not hand over control anymore. After an offensive error of Gonzalo Ruiz the first FIVB World League match in Linz has ended. After 15-9 in tie-break, Spain could celebrate a hard-fought 3-2-win.
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