20th January 2008, Halle, Germany. Gerry Weber Stadium.
Women’s European Olympic Volleyball Qualifying Final.
Russia defeat Poland 3-2 (25-23, 25-22, 11-25, 22-25, 15-12)
Poland had an uphill battle with the first two sets closely contested but favored Russia. It was a fitting match for the finals as both teams went through “Pool Play” unbeaten.
Russia had maintained a defensive edge with their big blocks of Merkulova and Alimova, but with Poland’s big support from their fans urged on to keep them in the match as Poland walked all over Russia in the 3rd set & kept their hopes alive.
Heading into the fourth-set Russia looked to have put Poland away for the match leading 18-14, but with great determination Poland managed to save-face and put a U-turn to the set with Glinka and Skowronska hammering some good points. Poland came back to win it 25-22 and forced it to the decider.
Poland jump started the 5th set by leading 1-4, but by the turn over it was Russia who got there first leading 8-5 & continued the lead to 10-5 when they resumed, before Poland scored next. Russia then handling a 5-point buffer going point for point with Poland. Poland desperately hung on bringing the game back to the deficit of 2 at 13-11 & 14-12. Eventually Russia stomped out the courageous fight back to claim their place at the 2008 Volleyball Olympics. Russia and Poland played the better volleyball at this tournament and Russia seemed to play perfect volleyball, but however their efforts in the finals is looked at they managed to achieve their aim by winning.
| Women’s European Olympic Qualification Tournament Halle, Germany: 15-20 January 2008 |
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| Date | Time | Game | Pool |
| January 15 | |||
| 1500 | Germany defeat Turkey 3-1 | B | |
| 1730 | Romania defeat Croatia 3-2 | A | |
| 2000 | Poland df Netherlands 3-1 | B | |
| January 16 | |||
| 1500 | Russia defeated Croatia 3-0 | A | |
| 1730 | Poland defeated Germany 3-2 | B | |
| 2000 | Serbia defeated Romania 3-2 | A | |
| January 17 | |||
| 1500 | Turkey df Netherlands 3-1 | B | |
| 1730 | Serbia defeated Croatia 3-1 | A | |
| 2000 | Russia defeat Romania 3-1 | A | |
| January 18 | |||
| 1500 | Poland defeat Turkey 3-1 | B | |
| 1730 | Russia defeated Serbia 3-1 | A | |
| 2000 | Netherlands df Germany 3-1 | B | |
| January 19 | Semi-Finals | ||
| 1730 | Russia defeats Germany 3-0 | ||
| 2000 | Poland defeats Serbia 3-1 | ||
| January 20 | 1600 | Finals | |
