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Ukraine came back from a set down to defeat Portugal on the opening night of the women’s EuroVolley 2021 qualification Pool B in Matosinhos. Coach Vladimir Orlov’s squad claimed a 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-19) victory over the hosts of the first round-robin tournament.

Ukraine won the first rally of the match, but that was the last time they had the lead in the first set. Portugal took control and opened a gap that gradually extended to seven points at 22-15 before the set ended 25-20 in their favour.

Ukraine scored four in a row to turn the tide in the second set and gain a 15-12 lead, but later could not hold on to the four-point advantage they had 19-15 and Portugal leveled at 20-20. Another four in a row put the Ukrainians at match point and seconds later Bohdana Anisova put it away at 25-21.

The third set was very competitive, with the gap never extending beyond three points one way or another. After 23-23, however, Portugal committed two consecutive unforced errors to gift the set to Ukraine – 25-23.

Portugal were five points ahead at 12-7 in set four, when Vladimir Orlov’s side went on a six-point run to gain the lead. They established total domination on the court and although the home team managed to deny the first three match points, on the fourth one, Yuliya Gerasymova hit the winner for 25-19.

Bohdana Anisova delivered the match high of 21 points, while her teammate Diana Meliushkyna impressed with seven kill blocks. Julia Kavalenka was Portugal’s top scorer on 18 points.

Joao Jose, head coach of Portugal: "We started well, fulfilling the tasks, but afterwards we were unable to maintain that behaviour throughout the match. We need to be more decisive and maintain that attitude until the end. On the other side, there was a physically superior team with more options on the bench. Now we are going to analyze the game and see how the group reacts to this match, and when I say ‘the group’ I mean all of us, because that is the collective spirit that we want to implement in this team. We are as one."

 
Vladimir Orlov, head coach of Ukraine: "It was a match of nerves. It was our first game and we were playing against the home team, who also wanted to win. It was a very intense match that must have pleased those who could follow it, here or on television. Psychologically and physically, it was an intense match, but the technical and tactical quality was not so good. Sweden? We will think about it tomorrow, as all matches are important, but I can assure you that we will play to win."