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Germany horrible at the start, the Netherlands won points without stress

While Netherlands easily defeated Czech Republic, Germany got a volleyball lesson from the hosts. The pressure is on them today, but they cannot repeat such bad performance

FIVB

Netherlands celebrated their return to the European Championship with a 3-1 win over Czech Republic. It can be said that they routinely won the three points despite losing a set because the Czechs without Konechy and Stokr were no match for them. They were dominant statistics-wise as well, their efficiency was at 55% while the opponent's was at 44%, and they made nine blocks more. 

- We played well at the start, the first two sets were almost perfect for us, but we relaxed a bit in the third one. We managed to get back in the next set and we proved we can make a comeback after difficult situations - said captain Van Harskamp.

Duo Kooy-Van Dijk were the best Dutch players with 17 and 16 points respectively, and Bontje with 11 points (6 blocks) and setter Abdelaziz with 10 points also played important roles. 

CEV

With yesterday's win, Netherlands pretty much secured the second round because it is unlikely that Czech Republic can surprise Bulgaria or Germany. With that they lifted the pressure of themselves ahead of the games against the group favorites and they can play relaxed. 

Selector Vermuelen didn't hide his pleasure and relief:

- I am happy and pleased because today's game was the finale for us. Bulgaria and Germany are the best teams in the group and we had to win so we wouldn't leave the competition after the first round. The situation is much better for us now, we can play without pressure against Germany. 

The duel between Germany and the hosts has been marked as the most interesting match of the first day, but at the end it seemed we were watching Bulgaria's practice. The Germans practically didn't even show up on the court, they haven't showed anything and they seemed as a defeated army. Selector Heynen tried to regain balance with substitutions, but neither Schops nor Schwarz didn't give the team the necessary impulse. 

They were left at miserable 35% of efficiency, which is well below their real abilities considering their great offensive potential with Grozer, Fromm and the rest of the company. 

- It's a simple thing, Bulgaria were much better than us. They played a great fame, probably the best in the last year and there is nothing to complain about. A lot of things were crucial - Vital Heynen gave a realistic comment. 

Their key player, Grozer, was limited to seven points with 27% efficiency, second opposite Schops had 25% of efficiency, and receivers Fromm, Kaliberda and Schwarz were no better, they earned 12 points combined. 

With yesterday's defeat, the first position and direct qualifications for the quarter-final is pretty much lost. They have to defeat Netherlands if they want to win the second position, and the pressure is bigger now. But, they can hardly repeat the bad performance from yesterday.