Daugavpils, Latvia – In a highly anticipated opening match of the #EuroVolleyU22M Pool D qualifier, the Latvian men’s national team made a statement on home soil, defeating Croatia 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23) at the Daugavpils Olympic Centre. This crucial victory immediately propelled the hosts to the top of the group standings after the first day of competition.
Latvia kicked off the match with remarkable intensity, establishing a commanding 8:1 lead in the first set. While Croatia, ever resilient, managed to narrow the gap significantly to 13:11 and later 19:18, the home side maintained composure. Armands Rokjāns delivered a crucial push to 20:18, following up with a well-placed ace. The set was then neatly sealed by Leo Aleksandrs Štolcs with a decisive block, securing a 25-19 win for Latvia.
The second set saw a shift in momentum. Croatia found their rhythm early, taking a 6:1 lead, notably after a successful transition play by Ivan Vuk. Latvia attempted to claw their way back, leveling the score temporarily, but the visitors regained control. Towards the end of the set, Gabriel Šunjo`s block extended Croatia`s lead, and they comfortably closed the set 18-25, evening the match score.
Undeterred, Latvia regrouped and came out strong in the third set, building another solid early advantage at 10:5, thanks in part to another effective block, this time from Rokjāns. Croatia mounted several challenges, closing the distance and threatening to swing the set back their way. However, Latvia demonstrated tenacity, consistently pulling away when it mattered most and securing the set 25-20, regaining the match lead.
The fourth set proved to be a tense affair. Latvia held a narrow lead for much of the set, but Croatia refused to yield. A critical serve by Budimir Oliver Škorić tied the score at 17:17, injecting a moment of genuine drama into the Daugavpils arena. Latvia responded swiftly, with Kristers Landzāns delivering an ace that, with a slight assist from the net, put Latvia back in front at 19:17. Rokjāns brought Latvia to match point at 24:22, and Landzāns clinched the final point, sealing the 25-23 set victory and the 3-1 match win.
Individual performances were key to Latvia`s success. Armands Rokjāns led all scorers with an impressive 23 points, including four aces, proving to be a consistent threat. Kristers Landzāns contributed significantly with 17 points, including the match-winner. Leo Aleksandrs Štolcs also reached double digits with 11 points, featuring two blocks. For Croatia, Ivan Vuk and Budimir Oliver Škorić were the top contributors, scoring 16 and 15 points respectively in their team`s effort.
Post-match reactions offered insight into the game. Armands Rokjāns expressed confidence in the result, noting prior successful encounters with Croatia. He attributed his strong performance to feeling rested and highlighted the tangible boost from the home crowd in Daugavpils and the positive team dynamic. “This win is no surprise,” Rokjāns stated, emphasizing the team`s belief.
Croatian player Ivan Vuk offered a candid assessment of his team`s performance. He felt Croatia was “justn`t on the court” during crucial moments, citing small errors that Latvia capitalized on. Vuk acknowledged Latvia`s physical strength, particularly their height advantage, and lamented Croatia`s inability to convert opportunities in key situations. Despite the loss, he praised Daugavpils, noting the city`s dedication to sports facilities – a nod to the hosts even in defeat.
Latvia`s head coach, Mārcis Obrumans, shared his perspective on the win. He confirmed the team`s pre-match confidence, which was amplified by the strong start. While acknowledging some “nerves” typical of a first qualifier match, he was pleased with the team`s ability to overcome serve reception challenges and convert tough balls into points. Obrumans described their attack as “fairly diverse” and praised the players for staying patient even when passing quality fluctuated.
In the other Group D match played earlier, Poland defeated Israel in a hard-fought five-setter (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 15-9). This result places the early standings in Pool D as follows: Latvia leads with 3 points, followed by Poland with 2 points, Israel with 1 point, and Croatia with 0 points.
Looking ahead, Coach Obrumans embraced the top position, stating, “It`s always a good feeling to be at the top.” He recognized the “road ahead won`t be easy” but expressed hope the team would continue their efforts to stay there. Anticipating the next match against Israel, he described them as “quite powerful” but was optimistic about his team`s approach and, crucially, the continued support from the growing crowd in Daugavpils, noting how much the team enjoys playing there.
Latvian National Team Roster:
- Kristaps Pelēkais (Kuldīga District Sports School/MSĢ)
- Arturs Gulovs (Riga Volleyball School/MSĢ)
- Marats Selivanovs (Riga Volleyball School)
- Emīls Ieviņš
- Rainers Veips
- Kristers Landzāns (all – Jēkabpils Sports School)
- Ivans Rustkovs
- Sandis Cimotišs
- Ņikita Dimitrijevs
- Daņila Mironovs (all – Daugavpils Sports School)
- Ingars Blumbergs (Talsi District Sports School)
- Indars Asars (Talsi District Sports School/MSĢ)
- Leo Aleksandrs Štolcs
- Renārs Vinšteins (both – Minusa Volleyball School)
- Kristofers Kļaviņš (St. Mary’s College, USA)
- Armands Rokjāns (SK “Jēkabpils Lūši”)
Coaching Staff:
- Head coach Mārcis Obrumans
- Assistant coach Ģirts Mārtiņsons
- Physiotherapist Līze Kurakina
- Statistician Aivis Kokins
- Team manager Andris Nuķis