JERUSALEM, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Portugal edged closer to the Round of 16 at the 2023 Men's European Volleyball Championship, securing a 3-0 victory (25-22, 25-21, 25-12) over hosts Israel.
With this win, Portugal accumulated seven points from four matches, ascending to second place in the six-team Group D. Israel, on the other hand, remain at four points from their four matches.
Portugal's outside spiker, Alexandre Ferreira, delivered an outstanding performance, registering 17 points with a 95 percent reception rate. His teammate, Jose Pinto, contributed 12 points, which included three block points. Lourenco Martins added another 11 points to Portugal's tally. For Israel, Tamir Hershko was the top scorer with 12 points.
Earlier in the day, Romania clinched a 3-1 victory over Greece. Alexandru Rata and Marian Bala steered Romania to claim the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-18. However, Greece's Georgios Tzioumakas, with his aggressive plays, ensured they took the third set 25-23. Romania bounced back in the fourth set, winning 25-20, thanks to spikes from Bala and blocks by Robert Calin.
Rata ended the match with 16 points, while Bala and Florian Bartha chipped in with 14 points each. Tzioumakas was Greece's top scorer with 15 points.
After four matches, Romania has amassed six points, while Greece stands at three points. France, boasting nine points from three matches, has already punched their ticket to the Round of 16.
The quest for the three remaining Round of 16 slots from the group will resume on Monday. Romania is set to face France, while Turkey, holding four points from three matches, will challenge Portugal.
The other 12 teams advancing to the Round of 16 will emerge from the remaining three groups, which are being contested in Italy, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. ■
