France clinched the fifth position in the WEVZA Tournament that was held in the Pabellón Pisuerga Sports Hall of Valladolid. The French squad beat Portugal in three straight sets to reach the fifth position. The powerful attacks and a solid block gave Les Bleus the victory. In the other classification match, Sweden achieved its first victory of the competition after beating The Netherlands by 3:0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-17). This victory put Scandinavian side in the seventh place above winless Dutch boys.
Final for the seventh place
Sweden 3 – Netherlands 0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-17)
Sweden claimed the seventh position and its own first victory in a good performance. The Nordic side overcame The Netherlands in a thrilling match. The Dutch boys started very aggressivelly, taking a 5-0, but the squad of Aldis Jaundzeikas reduce the gap to overturn the game. The Netherlands kept looking for a come back and tied the game 23-23. Two consecutive rallies won by Sweden closed the first set by 25:23.
Sweden continued improving its game and clearly outsized the Dutch in a great second set. The Nordic was close to its first victory and aimed for the three straight sets. The Netherland needed to recovered the level of the beginning but the illusion and the concentration of Swedish team lead them to the triumph and to the seventh position.
Swedish Head Coach, Aldis Jaundzeikas, said after the match: « At least we are going home wit a victory. We did a good job today, playing the same way as yesterday: with attitude, well structured. We wanted to go with one victory. Every game in these ages is very important to continue improving. My players are in the beginning of their careers. We are a team with many possibilities, and we have to work every day. »
Niels Plinck, head Coach of the Netherlands said: « We really played a good game, we started very well again but could not finish with a victory ».
Final for the fifth place
France 3 – Portugal 0 (25:17, 25:15, 25:18)
France got the fifth position of the WEVZA Boys Tournament with an outstanding demonstration of powerful attacks, that helped them to beat the Portuguese defense. The French side had the goal of reaching the best position, and went it from the initial points. France started the match getting five points gap, and controlling the rhythm of the play.
Portugal maked many mistakes when tried to overturn the distance. The second and third sets maintained the fight but the result was the same. France went a long distance to ensure the victory and the fifth place.
Olivier Audabram, French Head Coach, said: « It is always important to continue motivated when we are not in semifinal. We succeeded in being concentrated until the end. We played a very good playoffs, specially in the last match. We will continue working to a better place in the next tournaments. »
Antonio Guerra, head coach of Portugal said: « We could play better. Against a well structured team, organized, we need to be convinced to compete. We need a little more in some elements to be able to compete against top teams. »
