Egypt celebrate the win vs Slovakia: Montenegro is waiting for them on Sunday
Bratislava, Slovakia, July 4, 2015 - Egypt became the second finalist in Group 3 Finals in Bratislava. The team from Africa beat home team Slovakia late Saturday in four sets and will play for the first place against Montenegro on Sunday. Slovakia will face China in a 3rd place match.
Slovakia suffered key losses before this tournament. Opposite Milan Bencz missed in Bratislava because of shoulder injury and other experienced players like Martin Nemec (opposite) and Tomas Kmet (middle blocker) were not in because of family problems. Despite this facts, Slovakia had only one goal at home. But the team mentored by Italian coach Flavio Gulinelli started in front of home crowd nervously. Egypt served and blocked very well and especially opposite and captain Abdelhay Ahmed was sucesfull in attack. The Egyptians build huge lead, Slovakia got closed in final moments from 19-24 to 23-24, but it was not enough for the "Faraons" who won the first set by two points.
The key point in the second set was great service by young Slovakian opposite Marcel Lux, who helped with his aces Slovakia to get the lead 16-10. Egypt came back from 14-21 to one point margin, but it was not enough and home team took second set 25-22. It was all levelled.
The third set was very close. Slovakia came in the end from 22-24 to 25-24, but missed the set point and Egypt in a very dramatic fashion finished the set in 27-25. Five time African champion made one step closer to finals.
Egypt started very well their fourth set when Hassan Omar hit the ace. Slovakia made a lot of errors in service, Egypt played constantly very good side-out and build big lead during the set. Slovakia supported by 3000 people tried to come back (23-24), but it was not enough: Egypt deservely advanced to gold medal match against Montenegro.