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| 2005 African GALA Championship- Morocco |
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Morocco and
Portugal win in Afro-European GALA Opening The second African Gala of International Volleyball commenced here in Casablanca, Morocco under the auspices of the Federation Royale Morocaine de Volley and the CAVB with victories for Morocco and Portugal over Senegal and England in the opening day. Morocco were fielding a new team - seven had been playing at the Junior World Championships in India a few weeks ago. They dominated the first set striding ahead to 16:9. Senegal fought to stay in contention but Morocco took the first set 25:16. They again began confidently in the second set with a slick set by setter and captain Nacer Olichrif to his middle attacker but Senegal answered with a well executed tip and a block. the final Morroco attack sealed the set 25:19. Senegal held Morocco in the third set until Morocco again established a lead through their service. At 11:6, Senegal's Fofana Cheikh retaliated with a hit down the line and they continued to chase Morocco into the 20's. At 24:21 a hit by Morocco off the Senegal block brought them to match point and they took the first match of the Championship 3:0 Morrocco's coach, Nostafa Anchouche, was pleased with one of his first matches with his young team commented, "Our problems lie mainly in service reception and we need to build more homogenicity within the team." However, he was pleased with one of his first matches with his young team. England v Portugal 1:3 31:29, 16:25, 22:25, 20:25 In the second match of the day, Portugal defeated England 3-1 (29-31, 25-16,25-22, 25-20). Portugal have had increasing success on the international stage and came to the Gala with a team consisting of six younger players and six experienced. England who went into the second round of the World Championships were pleased to enjoy more competition that the Gala offered. The first set was led by Portugal until England equalised at 19:19. They then worked hard to maintain captain Matt Jones's serve to reach 23:20. Portugal's Ricardo Lima broke his service and then England's Porter created match point - 24:23. Portugal held and the two teams ran point for point until England managed to clinch the set at 31:29. Despite excellent defence from Portugal's Sousa and Santos, England took the first point of the second set. The two teams then again ran point for point until Portugal ran clear at 13:16 and maintained the lead to win 16:25. England's 18 year old setter, Ben Pipes began the third set well with his service but Portugal's Ivo Aniceio middle attack took them into the lead at 8:9. England again were in a chasing position until Portugal were at set point at 22:24. England saved one match point but conceded the set 22:25. Set four and the teams traded points;after a good rally with setter Pipes executing a dive save and Portugal's Aniceio making an unusual tip, Portugal took the lead at 7:8. England took it back the lead until 15:15 when a determined Portugal moved ahead and stayed there taking the set 20:25 and the match 3:1. Ends News By Barbara Totterdell, Casablanca, Morocco |
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