Bratislava, Slovakia, July 5, 2015 - The third place in Group 3 Finals of FIVB World League in Bratislava goes to team Slovakia. In a rematch of last year game for bronze the team guided by the Italian coach Flavio Gulinelli beat China in five sets: 2-3 (25-17, 28-26, 20-25, 27-29, 13-15). Slovakia turned the score from two sets down. Ironically they lost four times from two sets up in Intercontinental round, twice against China.
Slovakia started with some changes compared to the unsuccesful semifinal match against Egypt. Home team lead 9-6 when captain Michal Masny hit the ace and later it was 15-13 for them. But then Runming Li came to the serve area and China suddenly turned the score to 20-15 in their favour. It was good enough for Asian team to win the first set 25-17.
The second set was very close. It was 9-5 for China, but Frantisek Ogurcak levelled the score to 11 all. In final moments Slovakia saved two setpoints, they missed one and finally Asian team won it 28-26. China was again slightly better in statistics in blocking and serving.
Slovakia came back in the third as wing-spiker Tomas Krisko was the hero with 5 aces in this set. He managed a confortable lead 16-12. Slovakia finally won the set 25-20 and returned to the match.
China lead 10-6 in the fourth, but the again Krisko closed the gap with very good service. Asian team was up by two points in final moments, but Slovakia finally won a dramatic 29-27 and forced tie-break.
The fifth set saw home team up from the start, 5-2. The young Chinese squad risked in service and attack, closed the score to one points, but Slovakia finally won fifth set 15-13 and made home attendence happy.