Rotterdam, Oct 5 (IANS) The Russian women’s team captured the European volleyball title after edging hosts the Netherlands 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-20) in the final in front of 11,000 spectators.
In a packed Ahoy arena on Sunday, the home crowd hoped for a repeat of the convincing 3-0 victory over Turkey in the semi-finals on Saturday, but the Russian women, who had beaten Serbia 3-1 in the semis, were of different class, reports Xinhua.
Although the Netherlands opened the score in the final and even took a lead of three points (3-6), the impressive offensive power and the efficient blocking of the Russian team turned the match around quickly.
Russia claimed their second consecutive continental title and their 19th European crown in total, of which thirteen titles under the flag of the Soviet Union.
For the third time the Dutch women had to settle for the second place at the European championships, after their final defeats in 1991 and 2009. Only in 1995 the Netherlands was able to capture the title, as hosts.