The tournament for places 5-8 gave us today the most intense and spectacular match so far. Against a formidable team, Akademika Focșani, our girls showed that they fully deserve their place in the elite of Romanian volleyball, turning a difficult start into a display of strength and ambition.
The spectacular comeback: from hesitation to domination 📈
The match started cautiously, with a “hesitant” first set that we lost 16-25. But just when the pressure was highest, that spark of pride appeared. Our girls refused to accept the role of outsiders and launched a methodical assault on the opponents’ court:
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Set 2: a point-for-point battle, won at 22 with nerves of steel.
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Set 3: a comfortable gallop finished at 18, in which we showed fluid, efficient volleyball.
Leading 2-1 against a team that had beaten the champions and a medallist in the group is huge confirmation of our progress!
Tie-break: the ultimate test of tenacity ⚔️
After losing set 4, the match went into the “lottery” of the deciding set. A tie-break isn’t only about technique, but about who wants the win more and who manages to stay focused. Whatever the final result of this 5-set battle, our girls showed today that they are on the right road towards the mental consistency we want.
Coubertin’s lesson in action: “Keep going!” 🏛️✨
As Pierre de Coubertin said, we chose to keep going with our heads held high. This surge of pride against a “benchmark” opponent is our moral victory. We showed that we can fight on equal terms with anyone, narrowing the gap to the top teams through attitude and commitment.
Managing critical moments: we have learned not to lose our heads after a lost set or a run of points by the opponent. This “maturing on the spot” allowed us to stay clear-headed and find tactical solutions where before we found only emotion. It’s a clear sign that the coaching staff’s work and the girls’ effort to train their tenacity are starting to bear fruit.
From “almost” to “we can”: the gap to the top teams is no longer measured in centimetres or speed, but in that fraction of a second when you decide you can win the point. Confidence is our new “key player”, and the way we managed the end of sets at 22 and 18 shows the girls are starting to master the art of staying in control when the pulse of the gym rises. In the end, if we think about it, the difference between us was just a few balls: if we learn to manage certain moments, those balls will be ours in the future. In fact, the difference between almost and WE CAN!
We are proud of you! You showed you can get back up even when you seem down, that you have pride even when it didn’t always seem so, that you can and you are strong. This energy is the foundation on which we will build future successes! 🔴🟡🔵🇷🇴🏐
