Greece celebrate win over Kazakhstan to open 2016 FIVB World League campaign.
Kozani, Greece, June 17, 2016 - Greece set off the right foot with a 3-0 (25-16, 28-26, 15-18) win over Kazakhstan, as they seek a ticket to the Final Four of FIVB World League Group 3.
Kazakhstan and Greece make a history as they are meeting for the first time in an official match. Kazakhstan didn't have much luck in the previous matches against European teams, with the loss to Greece being nineth in a row. The team is on its second season in the World League, while Greece plays it for the 12th time.
Greece proved highly more efficient in attack with a kill rate of 71% (49/69), but most importantly got it all right in serving and blocking at the most critical moments of the game, to counter lacking in reception. Frangos with 15 points and Rafail Koumentakis with 13 were Greece's and the game's top scorers. Maksim Mamedov led Kazakhstan with 12.
Andreas Frangos led Greece to claiming a come-from-behind crucial second set, as the home side defended two set balls of Kazakhstan. Frangos then brought it home with a cross-court spike followed by an ace deep into the Kazakhstan court.
That was all that Greece allowed Kazakhstan to produce, as the home side kept the pressure in the third to quickly break away and never look back.