2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX – GROUP 2 THIRD-PLACE
- Group 2 Third-Place Match
- July 30
- Ostrava, Czech Republic
- FIVB World Grand Prix, Bronze Medal Match
- Schedule/Results
Germany and Czech Republic will duel it out for a spot on the podium to round out Group 2 play at the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix. Czech Republic will be playing in front of a home-stadium for the bronze, as the two teams look to finish on a high-note after semifinal losses.
Prior to their loss to Korea, Germany was riding an eight-match winning-streak. Even with the loss, they’re still undefeated against Group 2 competition if you discount Korea, as they’ve yet to lose to any other nation. For a moment it even appeared they would be in the finals, as they earned a 2-0 set lead – giving them 20 consecutive set victories – but eventually faltered in five sets.
It wasn’t quite the dramatic loss for Czech Republic, who only held a 1-0 set lead before dropping three straight sets. The loss gives them a losing streak of two after they started 7-1 and lost on the final day of pool play to Germany before their semifinal loss to Poland. At 7-3 overall, they have an opportunity to win a medal in front of a home crowd while also exacting some revenge on Germany for the loss they suffered a week ago.
It’s always interesting to see how teams fare in third-place matches after suffering the disappointment of being ousted before the finals. Each of these two teams also lost a set-lead in doing so, as Germany even gave up a 2-0 advantage. Czech Republic’s home crowd could play an advantage in avoiding a lull, as they look to defeat the Germans for the first time at world level since 1974.
Watch the full live video below:
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