Estonia played a friendly match with Russia in preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship qualifiers and the FIVB Volleyball World League Group 3
Tallinn, Estonia, May 22, 2017 – The Estonian men’s national team are set to play five 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship qualification matches and make their debut in the FIVB Volleyball World League.
The team were split into two groups, as the second unit played another match with Spain that went into tie-break, favouring the visiting side. Estonia concluded their preparations with a match against Russia. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallists won the match 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-21).
“I am very satisfied with our game,” Estonia coach Gheorghe Cretu said. “There were little nuances were we should have been more patient and the result might have been better, but overall the team had a tremendous experience of playing against such strong opponents. I am satisfied with their technical and physical condition. It is important that the players would be able to maintain it.”
Estonia will play alongside Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania and Russia in Pool D of the World Championship qualifiers. The winner of the group directly qualifies to the World Championship, while the runners-up will continue their hunt for the spot in the third round of qualification.
“In this home tournament our goal is clear – to achieve at least the second place,” said Estonia captain Kert Toobal on their World Championship qualifiers target.
The team will make their debut in the FIVB Volleyball World League Group 3, where they will play Chinese Taipei, Tunisia and hosts Montenegro on the first round. Estonia will host the second week of the World League Group 3 competition against Greece, Qatar and Venezuela.