2006 Men’s World Championship – Portugal
Estonia’s dream still alive as they join Portugal in third round (FIVB)
05/22/2005
Vila
de Conde, Portugal, May 22, 2005 – Estonia, ranked 50th
in the world, continued their miracle run at the 2006
Men’s World Championship with an amazing second-place
finish behind winner’s Portugal at the second round
tournament – Europe Pool G in Vila de Conde on Sunday
after beating Austria in three comfortable sets (25-22,
25-14, 25-17). Portugal dropped a set but eventually
beat Latvia 3-1 (25-23, 29-31, 25-23, 25-22) in Sunday’s
other match to see both the home side and Estonia
advance to the third round.
Having started in the first round in April, Estonia have
now won five out of six matches and are now confirmed to
play such international heavyweights as Russia, ranked
fourth in the world, Poland, ranked seventh, and world
number 13 Bulgaria, who also have advanced from the
second round, in a third round tournament in Rzeszow,
Poland from July 15-17. Pic: Great defence from Estonia has seen
them lose only one of their six matches so far in the
2006 Men's World Championship
As winners of the tournament, world number 18 Portugal
will play Serbia & Montenegro (3), Greece (8) and Turkey
(40) in Larissa, Greece from July 18-20. The top two
from each tournament will confirm a spot in the final
round.
The wonderful competitive format of the World
Championships is most evident when a side like Estonia
can advance through two rounds and confirm a date
against the world’s superpowers.
In Portugal, Estonia played well above their fighting
weight and once again, put on another astonishing
performance. With Portugal having virtually guaranteed
their third round ticket on Saturday and Latvia
breathing down their necks, Estonia needed a convincing
victory over world number 40 Austria and they duly
delivered. Estonia played well but also benefited from
several errors made by Austria.
Meanwhile, Portugal needing nothing less than a win,
surprised the home crowd when they dropped the second
set against Latvia, who were in need of victory to stay
in contention for a third round ticket.
However, order was soon restored and Portugal eventually
sealed the match in just under two hours, much to the
delight of the fans.
