Matosinhos, Portugal, July 10, 2016 – The Netherlands finished their 2016 FIVB World League Group 2 campaign on the third place. Led by their outstanding star player Wouter Ter Maat (28 points), the team of coach Gido Vermeulen saw off Turkey in four sets 25-23, 28-30, 25-22, 25-22 at Centro de Desportos e Congressos in Matosinhos on Sunday afternoon.
Wouter Ter Maat scored a match-high 28 points to lead the “Oranjes” to the third rank while Baturalp Burak Gungor contributed 21 kills for the Turks.
Turkey experienced the better start into Sunday’s match for the third place. The team of coach Emanuele Zanini led 18-14 but rapidly saw their Dutch contenders scoring five consecutive points to turn around the tables at 19-18. It was the key moment of the first set, as the “Oranjes” never looked back until 25-23. Middle blocker Thomas Koelewijn closed it out for the Netherlands with a stunning block winner.
The team of coach Gido Vermeulen kept momentum in the beginning of the second period. At the first technical timeout, the Dutch led by two. However, it was not good enough to pull through. The Turks drew level at 22-22 and – after several set balls for both teams – concluded the second set 30-28 in their favor.
It remained a roller-coaster affair in the third set. Turkey rapidly led 12-9 but could not prevent the Netherlands from shooting ahead in the “money time” phase. Turkey saved one set ball at 22-24 before Thijs Ter Horst ended it at 25-22 with a blistering spike to offer the “Oranjes” a hard-fought 2-1 set lead.
The Netherlands kept the upper hand in the fourth and last set. Trailing 13-16 and 20-22, the Dutch celebrated an impressive comeback to finish their World League Group 2 campaign on a high note.