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| 2005 African GALA Championship- Morocco |
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2005 African Gala
Championship: Morocco Second African Gala Champions Morocco won the cup of the second African Gala Championship held in Casablanca, Morocco defeating Portugal in the final in a thriller five sets match (22-25, 27-25, 14-25, 25-16, 15-9). Morocco's aspirations were obvious - to win infront of their home crowd but they knew that they would have to work hard against Portugal.Morocco raced ahead in the first set forcing Portugal's coach, Nuno Coelho,to call a time out at 5:1. It worked and Portugal went into the lead withMorocco chasing. A block by Portugal's Aniceiro and Fiuza at 20-21 was sooncountered by Morocco's Bairi with a clever line hit taking Morocco to 22-21.However, a block by Portugal's Sousa, a mid hit from Portugal's Aniceiro and an over hit by Morocco brought Portugal to set point which they quicklysealed. Portugal began the second set with confidence but Morocco evened the scores at 7-7 with an attack on an overhit ball by Waddane. Then a point for point runs till Morocco finally claimed the set 27:25.The third Set began and concluded well for Portugal with a 14:25 score line.Morocco's coach, Mostafa Anchouche, used both his timeouts and used substitutions to stop Portugal but without success. However, in the 4th setthe situation was reversed and Morocco took the set 25-16 and the teamsprepared for the first fifth set of the Gala.Successful blocks by Portugal began this set and at the change around thescore was 6:8 in their favour but not for long. A combination attackfinished by Morocco's Ourhdach after some great defence work from Portugaland the crowd were beginning to get excited. Morocco did not disappoint themand they took the set 15-9 and with it the first place in the second AfricanInternational Gala Championships.Morocco's coach Anchouche admitted, "I was not sure which way the match would go. In my opinion much depended on service and reception and good concentration in these skills won the sets." In the third place match England defeated Senegal 3-1 (25-12,25-20,17-25,25-20) to win the bronze medal. England's captain Matt Jones dominated the first set of this match with his service taking the score to end the set 25-12. Jones's service was firmly stopped in the first part of the second set by Senegal but his team mates Weemes and Eruero's serves were effective for their team. Senegal's Pape fought hard at the net to put points on the scoreboard for his team but they could not prevent England from concluding the set at 25-20. Senegal were not out of the game and led the third set with some effective hitting from Eric Diandy and then refused to allow England back into the set eventually taking it 25-17. Jones once more had successful serve runs in the fourth set and Senegaltried tips, hits off the block to try to regain control but England moved slowly upwards and took the last few points unchallenged 25-20. Theircoach Ian legrand while pleased with the win commented, "The Gala hasconfirmed that we still have to learn to close out sets and it is somethingwe will be working on." News by Barbara Totterdell, Casablanca, Morocco |
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