Netherlands beat Germany 3-2 (27-25, 25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 15-12) - duration 2:02
19-Jul, start time: 20:03, end time: 22:05 - Attendance: 1,400 Netherlands wins over Germany in thrilling marathon
Netherlands pushed Germany to a five-set marathon that lasted just over two hours in their first encounter in Intercontinental round 4 that finally ended in their favour in the tiebreaker. Germany took the initiative in the first set by attacking strongly and faced a less than effective block and service from the Dutch side. But then the Germans failed to convert six set points when Schuil and Nummerdor turned up the heat with some fantastic spikes and blocks. Then some five services by van Gendt gave them the first set. The Dutch started well in the second with Gortzen's play improving while Schuil again deployed fine spiking and services while the Germans slipped into a string of errors that left them training 0-2. By the third, the rhythm of the Dutch had slipped and Germany seized the initiative to run up a six points advantage and go on to pull back to 1-2. Germany continued with good services and spiking by Liefke and Andrae, who went on to deliver the crunch at 25-23 for Germany and force the tiebreaker. The Netherlands look and early lead at 4-3, but the Germans levelled and went on to go three points up before Nummerdor and Gortzen turned the screw and gave the Dutch their 3-2 victory. /mh
