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Abu Dhabi: Germany came from behind to beat Azerbaijan 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19) in the first match of the first Women International Volleyball Championship held yesterday at the indoor stadium of the Al Jazira Sports Club.
Holland started their quest for the title of the $1 million tournament by trouncing Australia 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-12) in the second match.
Solid defence
Germany capitalised on the lack of stamina and energy of their Azerbaijan rivals, who played an excellent first game, to win three games in a row and open Group B as favourites.
Kseviya Kavalenka, who has a record of 14 matches in the World Championship, and her teammate Nalalya Nannadova, who has 14 World Championship and six Olympic Game matches under her belt, were the stars of Azerbaijan in the first game, leading their team to a 25-21 victory, but failed to break the solid German defence on the net in the remaining games of the match.
The Germans, led by captain and playmaker Cornelia Dumler, who plays for Imola club in Italy, and Kerstin Tzscherlich, were outstanding in defence away from the net while the team's good blocking on the net deprived their opponents from finishing.
The Germans took two games 25-22 before leading the fourth 13-5. The Azerbaijanis fought back to 13-11 but failed to continue in the same spirit, losing the game 25-19 and the match 3-1. Holland were in a class of their own, trouncing Australia 3-0 during a feast of volleyball.
All their players showed great promise and capabilities in particular their captain Manon Flie, libero Janneke Van Tienen and Debby Stam.
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