THE Netherlands whipped Slovenia 25-17, 25-21, 26-24 yesterday as the Volleyball Nations League Week 2 men’s tournament got going yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz scored 18 points, 15 from attacks and three service aces, while Bennie Tuinstra added 13 markers. Thijs Ter Horst also had 12 points for the Netherlands.
“We played very clean, like a team,” said Tuinstra. “It was tough, we were pushing, and they (Slovenia) gave up big points that’s why we won today.”
“It’s always nice to have fans in the stands. The fans are great. It’s amazing to play here,” Abdel-Aziz said of the opening day crowd.
With the win, the Netherlands rose to 3-2. Slovenia slipped to 2-3.
Rok Mozic and Ziga Stern registered 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Slovenians.
The VNL announced the tiff pitting China and France today has been cancelled after “China confirmed they could not field a team for medical reasons.
The Chinese squad was “unable to field six players for the duel due to the medical circumstances related to COVID-19 which will result with an automatic forfeit for China giving France a 3-0 win, confirmed by the FIVB and Volleyball World.” — Abby Toralba
