Spain win their first match of the 2015 World League
Taraz, Kazakhstan, June 12, 2015 - Booming attack and serving from Noda Blanco helped Spain recover from a one-set deficit as they beat Egypt 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-22, 15-9) in their first match of the 2015 World League.
Egypt won the first set 25-22, maintaining a few-point lead they had established before the first technical time-out. Blocking proved to be the key element in the opener with Egypt scoring four points in block against none from Spain. The following set saw Egypt mostly play catch-up, as Spain took a two-point lead at both technical time-outs. Egypt tied the score both times, but they were unable to respond when an error from Abou put Spain 22-20 in front. Another error in attack from the African side handed Spain the set, 25-21.
The third set began with Egypt in the lead, 11-8. Spain quickly made things even again, with an ace from Rocamora Blazquez tying the score at 13-all. There was no separating the two teams from then on as Spain earned the first set point at 24-23. Egypt were able to quickly turn things around, however, with spikes from Moneim and Abou giving them a 27-25 victory in the set. In the fourth set Spain were determined to force things into a tie-breaker and held a two-point advantage until the second technical time-out. Things started to heat up again when Egypt won three points in a row to lead 17-16. But two powerful spikes and a successful block from Noda Blanco helped Spain take the set, 25-22.
Noda Blanco's good form continued in the tie-breaker as his attack put Spain 3-0 in front. Egypt were finally able to stop the Spanish star to make things 10-7 for Spain, but he immediately reacted with two more successful spikes before a block from Fornes finished the fifth set at 15-9.
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