Samokov, Bulgaria, July 12, 2015 - Czech Republic dropped the second set but prevailed over Croatia 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21) to qualify for the Final Round in Poland.
In the first set Czech Republic took an early lead which they managed to keep until the end, expanding the gap continously. On the second technical timeout they were 16-9 in front and took the set 25-12 dominating the opposition with their great serving.
In set two Croatia took the opening point on a missed serve by Lucie Smutna and quicky raced off to a 4-0 margin. Czech Republic struck back before the first technical timeout going 8-7 up after scoring three consecutive points. They managed to keep a slender advantage until the second technical timeout as Croatia tied the score at 16 all. Even if Czech Republic hit the front once again at 19-17, Croatia put the highest pressure in the last stage of the set to take it 25-22.
The third set saw Czech Republic taking an early lead 10-5. Croatia were no table to pull back and the Czechs took it 25-21. They keep their focus and consistency in the next set too building up a comfortable advantage from the beginning. However with 21-14 up the Czech players started to lose points one after another and Croatia narrowed the gap to one point only at 21-20. In the late stage Andrea Kossanyiova put huge spiking pressure on Croatian players who were not able to withstand and lost the set 25-21.
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