Rok Možič was a key player in the Slovenian national team’s victory over China. Photo: Jaka Gasar
Slovenia on the wings of Roko Možič to the opening victory
The Slovenian volleyball team started their performance in the League of Nations with a victory in China. For the opening of the first tournament in Linyi, she defeated the home team of China 3:2 (17, -20, -20, 23, 10). On Thursday, a much more demanding test will follow, when Poland will face Fabio Soli, the Italian strategist on the Slovenian bench, in front of the network of wards.
For the third time in as many matches in the League of Nations, the Slovenians defeated the Chinese team. Three years ago in Pasay City and four years ago in Brasilia, it was 3:1 in sets.
A special honor for Jani Kovačič
The showdown at the Olympic Sports Center was otherwise special for free agent Jani Kovačič, who became the seventh Slovenian volleyball player with 200 appearances for the national team. The record holder with 281 appearances is Tina Urnaut, who stayed in her homeland and, according to a special program, got in shape for the second League of Nations tournament in Ljubljana between June 24 and 28.
In the absence of Urnaut and Žiga Štern, Soli appointed Niko Mujanović, otherwise a proofreader, in the place of receiver. Tonček Štern started in this position, and next to him in the first six were receiver Rok Možič, blockers Alen Pajenk and Jan Kozamernik, Uroš Planinšič initially connected the attack as a passer.
Slovenia started the match better and, thanks to a cheerful Mujanović, gained a few points ahead of the home team. By the middle of the first set, Mujanović successfully finished the attack for the fourth consecutive Slovenian point and 13:7 and thus, despite some strange decisions of the head referee, a peaceful continuation to the lead with 1:0 in the sets.
The second set was nowhere near as convincing as the first. The Chinese took a 16:9 lead, also due to a greater number of Slovenian errors, then after a change at the point guard position, four consecutive points by Soli’s proteges revived the hope of a comeback. The Slovenians came close to two points a few times, but the Chinese again escaped to 20:16 and went on to win the set.
The extremely important block of Možič
In the third, Slovenia started better and led by three points (9:6), then the Chinese stepped on the gas and scored seven of the next eight points for +4 after the Slovenian lead with 13:11. There was no solution in the Slovenian game, but the Chinese played in the field and won the third set on the wings of increasingly loud fans.
A tied fourth set did not offer a major advantage for one team or the other. After Wen Zihua’s ace, the Chinese tied the game at 12:12 and then had a one-point advantage throughout. In the end of the set, the Chinese gained a two-point lead at 22:20, then Možič was successful with a block to equalize. Also in the continuation, Slovenia narrowed its ranks and with a new block from Možič tied it at 2:2 in sets.
In the decisive set, the Slovenians quickly took a 3:0 lead, but the Chinese equalized quickly. After Roko Braček’s ace and Mujanović’s successful attack, the scoreboard read 9:6, but this time Soli’s wards did not let the advantage slip away.
Along with Možič, Mujanović and Štern are also excellent
In the Slovenian line, Možič was the most effective with 25 points, five of which were blocks, Mujanović contributed 18 points, and Tonček Štern 16. For the Chinese, Wen Zihua stood out with 23 points.
The next Slovenian rivals at the tournament in Linyi will be the Poles, who reliably beat Cuba 3-0 in sets to start this year’s schedule in China. The match will start on Thursday at 2 p.m.
In the continuation of the program in Linyji, the Slovenian team will face Cuba on Saturday and Japan on Sunday.
