Belgium's Lise Van Hecke was the best scorer of the match with 23 points.
Bari, Italy, September 27, 2014 – Belgium routed Azerbaijan in straight sets (25-21, 25-12, 25-21) on the fourth day of FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship at PalaFlorio in Bari Saturday morning.Taking part in the World Championship for the first time in 36 years, the Belgians were one step away from the second phase.Key Points:· This was the first meeting between Azerbaijan and Belgium at a major tournament.
· Lise Van Hecke led Belgium with 23 points and Polina Rahimova was the best scorer for Azerbaijan with 19 points.
Belgium had an early advantage in the opening set (4-2) but thanks to a pair of aces of Polina Rahiimova Azerbaijan went ahead at 5-4. After the second TTO, Yellow Tigers put an important break of three points to force coach Aleksandr Chervyakov to call a timeout (15-12). Rahimova came up big again to pull the Caucasian team back at 15-15. Thanks to Van Ve Vijer services, Belgium held a thee-point advantage at 20-17. Azerbaijan cut the deficit to 20-19, but Van Hecke notched the winning point of the set with a kill (25-21).
Belgium had a strong start in the second set. When Vande Broek's team served, Azerbaijan slightly suffered (5-2). Being ahead at first TTO (8-5), they improved the lead at second TTO (16-8). Coach Chervyakov changed the setter Kurt with Gasimova, but the Caucasians seemed to be out of steam. Belgium put a break of 14 points and won the set (25-12).
Yellow Tigers got 10-7 and 14-8 up. Coach Chervyakov made some substitutions but Belgium produced a flurry of superb attacks and blocks (20-14). Azerbaijan recovered (21-22) but a lob of Van Hecke secured the match for her team (25-21).