Täht shines as Estonia upset Qatar with a comfortable win

Tallinn, Estonia, June 9, 2017 - In front of their home crowd Estonia opened 2017 FIVB World League Group Pool D match with a firm 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20) victory over Qatar. 

The Estonian wing-spiker Robert Täht was an impassable obstacle for Qatar. He netted points from powerful spikes and aces as well as from block. In the end of the match his total tally was 17. He got a good support from opposite Renee Teppan (11) and middle-blocker Timo Tammemaa who gathered 10 points. Three of them came through block. Qatar best scorer was their captain Renan Ribeiro with seven points.

Qatar fought bravely, especially in defense, but last year´s European League champions quality just overpowered them when the game rolled along. Through visitors captain Renan Ribeiro Qatar grabbed an 7-6 advantage in the first set but Estonia answered with 7-1 run. Together with spikes, aces and blocks they started to build up an advantage and in the end Estonia won the set by 25-16.

Birama Faye opened the second set with powerful block against Täht, but then it was all Estonian show. By the score 1-5 Qatar´s coach Massimiliano Giaccardi had used both his time-outs but that wouldn´t stop the hosts. Täht added an ace and the score was 7-1. During his second service series, Estonia already grabbed 20-9 lead. 

The third set was the most equal one. Although Estonia managed to get 4-1 edge, Qatar players fought themselves back into the game. Their captain´s ace levelled the score on 14-14 but Estonia answered with four straight points and took the lead for good.