Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 31, 2015 – Russia held off a battling Turkey to win a thrilling 3-1 (26-24, 16-25, 25-18, 26-24) encounter on their path to grab the 2015 Men's U23 World Championship title at Al Nasr Hall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday.
Russia continued age group run of success at all categories and put their name on this title for the first time in its second edition.
Egor Kliuka's 20 points topped the list of the scores for the winners, followed Pavel Pankov’s 10. including 2 key block to close the intense action with a placing. Metin Toy had 20 points to head the scoring charts of Turkey. Gokhan Gokgoz contributed 16.
Key Points
• Russia improved their age group tally to 17 crowns and achieved the first in this year.
• Russia continued as the only unbeaten team (7-0) in the competition in their way to win the title.
• Turkey qualified to both U23 genders, but failed to win each.
• Russia dominated 3-2 in the head to head games of this age group this year.
• The gold Medal Match was also a rematch of the pool B face off when Russia won 3-2.
The match started very tight as Turkey started the score with Burak Gungor's ace before Russia quickly draw with a fantastic hit from Ivan Dermarkov. The match went point by point thereafter till Russia went ahead 8-6 in the first TTO. Metin Toy's sharp service led Turkey to a leap 13-11 before Russia again reached the draw 14-14 with Sergey Ershov's brilliant hit. Russia had a slim 16-15 lead in the 2nd TTO with kliuka's spike . Russian committed several unforced errors in serving and reception to allow a Turkish lead 23-21. After the draw 23-23, Metin Toy scored a fantastic spike from position 2 allowing the first set point as Ugur Gunes missed the service before Russia went to a tough win 26-24.
Turkey started the second set with better defensive strategy to stop the Russian attacks, so they started the score before Russia scored from Kliuka's ace. Turkey jumped to 8-6 lead in the second set before the widen the score to 16-12 with Toy's brilliant attacks. With Gunor's ace and another triple block Turkey widen the gap to 19-14. Turkey continued to use the sharp services as a weapon to clinch the set 25-16 and draw 1-1.
Russia regained their concentration in the third set to lead 5-1 forcing the Turkish coach to call timeout. With Kimerov stuff block, Russia maintained the leading 8-4 at the 1st TTO and 12-8 as Zanini asked for the second TO. Kliuka's brilliant performance led Russia to a wide 16-9 lead before Russia widely won the set 25-18.
Russia started the 4th set with a perfect Pankov's ace, before both teams went point by point until Turkey had a slim margin 8-7. Turkey coach called timeout to stop Russian service at 18-8 and again the North Europeans went to 16-13 ahead with service mistake. Russia steadily went on to win the set 26-24.