Russia retain Women’s European Volleyball Championship title after overcoming hosts The Netherlands

Russia secured back-to-back European titles ©FIVB

Russia secured back-to-back Women’s European Volleyball Championship titles after cruising to a dominant straight-sets victory over hosts The Netherlands at the Sportpaleis Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam.

Around 11,000 supporters had attended the final to see whether the Dutch team could secure only their second European title, with their last victory coming when they last hosted the Championships in 1995.

Despite beginning the contest brightly by moving into an 8-4 lead, the home team suddenly found themselves on the back-foot as a series of superb attacks from Russia saw the opening set shift dramatically in their favour.

Setter Ekaterina Kosianenko and Tatiana Kosheleva in particular helped Russia turn the set around and having trailed by four points early on they began establishing a comfortable advantage, which saw them eventually win the set 25-14.

The Dutch team looked to recover in the opening stages of the second set and with the support of the crowd lifting them they proved to be far more competitive, however their improvement would not prove enough to prevent Russia from taking a two set lead.

Again the hosts responded to a blow of losing a set as they took a 5-0 lead at the start of the third, but Russia displayed the kind of resilience which saw them claim the title in 2013 as they clawed their way back to leave the scores level at 14-all.

Russia then ensured there wouldn’t be a Dutch revival as they raised their level of performance in the closing points of the set to eventually seal a 25-14, 25-20, 25-20 victory and secure back-to-back European titles.

Serbia overcame Turkey with ease to secure bronze ©FIVB

“Today our defence worked very well,” said Yuriy Marichev, Russia’s coach.

“I am really proud of my team: this was one of the best matches we have played, especially since in our previous matches we were not so good.

“I think The Netherlands were a bit tired and more nervous.”

Serbia, who were beaten by Russia in the semi-final, earned bronze after claiming a comfortable straight-sets win over Turkey.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Cup runners-up took control of the tie early on by pressuring the Turkish team into several mistakes, which helped them take the opening set 25-19.

There was no way back for Turkey as an inspired Serbian team gave them limited opportunities in the final two sets of the tie on their way to securing bronze with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-18 victory.