Luxembourg and Iceland book tickets for Andorra

Luxembourg and Iceland managed to book their tickets for the Small Countries Division Senior European Championships Final Round to be played in Andorra in 2011, after finishing in the first two places of the Qualifying Group B played in Malta. Whilst Luxembourg managed to beat all the other teams to finish the tournament in first place, Iceland still proved unreachable for both San Marino and Malta.

Luxembourg started their route to top spot by overcoming hosts Malta in their first match, winning 3-0, showing great determination and skill in the second set coming back from 7-16 and 14-21 down to finally win this set 27-25. From their side, the local national team started well, although losing the first set 21-25, with inspired Robert Balzan and Peter Testa leading the way. Luxembourg however lost their touch during the second set, and Malta immediately took advantage of this, opening a seven point lead close to the end of the set. However, Luxembourg’s coach, Burkhard Disch spurred his team forward, and with Jan Lux and Frantizek Vosahlo gaining point after point they managed to win this set as well. The Maltese tried their very best in the third set, but at this point Luxembourg had taken the psychological lead as well.

Iceland, on their part, faced San Marino in their first match, with both teams knowing that this match would most probably serve as the match for the second place. In fact this was the most balanced match in the whole tournament, with San Marino taking the lead by winning the first set 26-24, with Matteo Zonzini immediately being their most dangerous player. Iceland however were playing well, and with setter Valur Valsson combining well with his attackers, especially twins Kristjan and Hafsteinn Valdimarsson, they managed to turn the result around in their favour by winning the next three sets.

Luxembourg found little difficulty to overcome both San Marino and Iceland in the next two matches, thus deservedly finishing in first place, obtaining maximum points from the three matches. Iceland, from their part, made sure of finishing in second place by beating Malta, with the latter losing also their third match against San Marino to finish in the last position.

Results
Friday 18th June 2010
San Marino – Iceland 1-3 (26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 20-25)
Luxembourg – Malta 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-16)

Saturday 19th June 2010
Malta – Iceland 0-3 (17-25, 16-25, 22-25)
Luxembourg – San Marino 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-18)

Sunday 13th June 2010
San Marino – Malta 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22)
Iceland – Luxembourg 0-3 (19-25, 20-25, 18-25)

Final Standings
Luxembourg 6pts, Iceland 5pts, San Marino 4pts, Malta 3pts.