Robert Täht was the main scorer on Estonia's win over Finals hosts Mexico
Leon, Mexico, June 17, 2017 - Estonia’s dream run at 2017 FIVB World League added one more chapter as the European side, led by a 16-point game by
Robert Taht, prevailed over Group 3 Finals hosts Mexico 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-20) to reach the final match on their first ever participation at the tournament.
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Täht was well joined by opposite Oliver Venno, who scored 14 times, as the main weapons of the visiting side. Mexico fought their way spearheaded by Jorge Barajas, top contributor of the host squad with 11 points.
Estonia will hence play against Spain for Group 3 title, while Mexico are set to search the bronze medal against Germany, on the final day of action at Domo de la Feria.
From the very beginning of the game, Täht assumed the leading role in Estonia, en route to 4-0 and 8-4 scores. Spurred by the noisy crowd, Mexico began their struggle, but Täht & Co. were relentless in attack and advanced to 16-12. The final track had more emotions as local setter
Pedro Rangel fired an ace and wing spiker Barajas enlarged his scores, but it was only enough to reduce the gap to two (23-21). Estonia spiked their way to an opening 25-22.
It was a massive blow the one dealt by Estonia in the second set, as the gap grew larger and larger by the work of several players this time - Venno,
Andrus Raadik and
Ardo Kreek joined the offensive force to transform a 6-2 into a wide 16-8. Despite their spirit, the home players showed much more trouble to build their game and Estonia comfortably moved to 23-12, in what was already a decided set. A crushing back-row spike from Täht wrote the 25-13 on the board.
The fans went crazy on the third set as Mexico led 7-2 with powerful serves from Barajas and two floated ones by
Samuel Cordova. In a rollercoaster plot, first a time-out from Estonia deflated the home momentum, then a block by Cordova rebuilt the gap (13-9) and later Täht reappeared to level the scores at 14 points each. Täht and also Raadik kept the pressure and Estonia jumped ahead 20-17, a block by Raadik pushed Estonia to match ball area (24-19) and a long serve finished the game 25-20.