Former Bulgaria coach Lorenzo Micelli started his new period in international volleyball with a loss - his Sweden team was defeated by the Netherlands 2:3 in a match from Group A of the preliminary phase of the tournament in Bangkok. Although both Haak sisters were on the court and carried the main burden for the Scandinavians, it was not enough.
Interestingly, this match also became a kind of dress rehearsal for future club teammates - Isabelle Haak (Sweden) and Nika Daalderop (Netherlands), who will play for Italian champion "Imoco Volley" from the new season.
Set scores
Netherlands - Sweden 3:2 (25-27, 25-11, 25-21, 21-25, 15-9)
Match statistics
| Team | Attack | Block | Serve | Opponent errors | Total points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 65 | 12 | 2 | 32 | 111 |
| Sweden | 57 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 93 |
The Netherlands gained a decisive advantage in attack and opponent errors. Although the Swedes served more successfully (5 aces to 2), the stability of the "Tulips" in attack and block proved to be the key to victory.
Team elements
| Element | Netherlands | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Digs | 127 | 128 |
| Reception | 81 | 99 |
| Sets distribution | 168 | 184 |
The data shows that Sweden plays well in defense and reception, but still struggles to make a good first ball. Their setter made more lifts, but the attackers' efficiency was not enough.
Top scorers
| Team | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Nika Daalderop | 18 |
| Netherlands | Elles Dambrink | 18 |
| Sweden | Isabelle Haak | 31 |
| Sweden | Anna Haak | 20 |
Isabelle Haak once again proved her class with 31 points, but even this impressive contribution was not enough for a victory. The Haak sisters formed the backbone of the team with a total of 51 points. On the other side, Daalderop and Dambrink balanced the attack well, and the Netherlands demonstrated more evenness in point distribution.
For Micelli, the start was not successful, but Sweden showed that they have the potential to compete against top teams. The main problem remains the lack of support for Isabelle Haak, who often remains the only reliable option in attack.
