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What better way to take revenge for the lost 2021 Golden League bronze medal match than a 3-1 win in your first 2021 #EuroVolley game. The Czech Republic managed to come back after losing the first set to overcome Spain in the first match for the day in the Kolodruma sports hall.

● Spain started on fire quickly taking the lead and increasing it to 17-10 with the help of Raquel Montoro who contributed with 7 points. Despite the score, the Czechs had not said their final word yet, turning the match into a point-by-point mode after a couple of good spikes by Mlejnkova. At 23-22, Trnkova served out though to ensure the first set point for Spain who did not miss the chance given and put the end of the set.

● Trnkova needed 1 set to pay off for the mistake made, having the key role for the Czech comeback. The best hitter of the 2021 Golden League scored a total of 7 points in the second set (2 blocks, 1 ace).

● Czechia kept with style and took the lead in the set score by pushing hard on the attack with 45 % efficiency on winning spikes achieved.

● Although, the fourth set ran in a more competitive way the team from Central Europe proved to be the steadier one on the court. After another dominant performance by Michaela Mlejnkova, the players of Ioannis Athanasopoulos congratulated themselves on the first 2021 #EuroVolleyW win.

● Exactly Melnikova became the top scorer of the match with 22 points, while Lucrecia Castelano and Raquel Montoro both scored 17 for Spain.

"It was a hard first set - I was like: "Oh My God, it will be a really tough match". And then we tried to calm. It looked like we were fighting with ourselves especially with the block. The victory means a lot for us and for our plans. Our key games are those with Spain and Greece. Of course, we can surprise the big favorites as well. But after this victory, we can go to the next games a bit calmer."

Michaela Mlejnkova

Player, Czech Republic

"We did not have some of our main players available and it was not our best team today. We were fighting ourselves in both the first and third sets. But in the end, we managed to find a solution. It was a "must-win'' game against Spain, but I'm happy we achieved a 3-1 victory for 3 points"

Ioannis Athanasopoulos

Head Coach, Czech Republic

"We really fought hard for the victory. Unfortunately, it did not work out. I really hope to show the best of us in the upcoming matches."

Raquel Montoro

Opposite, Spain

"We tried to give 100% of us, but we faced some issues and it did not work out. However, it could not be an excuse. Our main goal is to play good Volleyball and we will give our best to do so. It is nice to be in such a special Volleyball country as Bulgaria. The opening match and the show presented were great."

Pascual Saurin

Head Coach, Spain