Novotny Marek (CZE) spikes against Diaz & Cedeno (VEN)
Czech Republic
vs
Venezuela
3
-
0
November 21, Nagano: The Czech Republic blew Pool C wide open with an irresistable straight sets victory over Venezuela.
The Czechs steamrollered past their South American opponents 25-20, 25-14, 25-19 to improve their win-loss record to 2-2 and reignite hopes of reaching the second round.
Venezuela are not out of the reckoning despite the loss, but head into the last day's play in the Nagano White Ring having followed up their opening two wins with a double consecutive defeat.
Whatever impact the result has on Pool C's final standings, the Czechs' victory eliminated winless Iran from the competition.
Venezuela took an early lead, too early even for Fredy Cedeno, who began celebrating a point for his side before it had even finished.
Teammate Luis Diaz kept his concentration, however, producing a killer spike to let Cedeno carry on where he had left off.
The South Americans threatened to take control, but each time they established a cushion in front, the Czechs hauled them back.
And it was the Czech Republic who went into the first TTO 8-7 ahead, as captain Martin Lebl imposed himself at the net.
The Czechs stretched their lead to five points, before an attack down the left from Peter Platenik took them further ahead.
Points from captain Thomas Ereu and Ernardo Gomez kept Venezuela in the hunt, but the Europeans were doing enough not to give up any ground.
Venezuela would have to make the breakthrough soon if they were to challenge for the first set, but time was running out as Michal Rak took the score to 21-18.
The Czechs stayed in front to reach set point at 24-20, and Jiri Zadrazil flipped the ball over to clinch it.
The Czech Republic carried their momentum over into the second set, storming into a 4-0 lead that troubled Venezuelan coach Eliseo Ramos enough to call a time-out.
Ramos also replaced setter Juan Carlos Blanco with Francisco Soteldo, but the Europeans were too pumped up to notice.
Marek Novotny, Rak and Platenik were firing on all cylinders, and the Czechs stretched their advantage to 8-2 at the first TTO.
It soon became 11-2 as Rak landed an ace, and threatened to become a rout as Lebl and Jan Stokr blocked at the net.
Venezuela clawed back a couple of points after another time-out, but the Czechs were rampant.
Platenik notched another razor-sharp spike from the left to make it 16-5, and the Europeans looked like they were enjoying themselves too much to even leave the court for the second TTO.
Diaz planted a couple of smashes down the line as Czech captain Lebl left the court with a bloodied nose, but it was Venezuela who looked battered as the Czechs reached set point at 24-13.
Novotny finished the job as he spiked the ball past the shell-shocked South American defence.
Venezuela began the third set knowing they would have to start well to knock the Czech's off their stride.
Ivan Marquez helped the cause with a flying smash, but the Europeans kept up their ferocious tempo to build an early 9-6 lead.
A Diaz block brought Venezuela back into it, but a commanding leap at the net from Lebl saw the Czechs pull further ahead.
At the second TTO the Europeans had control at 16-12, and with Stokr, Novotny and Platenik maurauding down the flanks, Venezuela's prospects of salvaging anything from the match were looking slim.
Captain Ereu had not given up hope as he cannoned in another spike, but match point was inevitable.
It came with a missed Venezuelan attack, and ended with yet another blast from captain Lebl.
