MOSCOW, September 15 (R-Sport) - The Russian women's volleyball team has won its 18th European volleyball championships title, beating host nation Germany by three sets to one in Berlin.
Natalya Obmochayeva scored a whopping 28 points to propel the Russians to victory at the Max Schmeling Halle arena by a final score of 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 14-25 late Saturday.
Russia's Tatiana Kosheleva, who claimed 19 points in front of 8,500 fans, finished the 16-nation tournament in Germany and Switzerland as its Most Valuable Player.
“It was definitely our toughest game today," Russia head coach Yuriy Marichev was quoted as saying by the international volleyball federation's website.
"Germany served very well. I told my players to focus on our strength at the net. It helped. I am very happy.”
Germany head coach Giovanni Guidetti conceded: "The gap between the Russian and our offense was too big tonight. Furthermore, Russia had 18 block kills. We only had nine. However, I am very proud of my players and my staff."
Russia had beaten the reigning champions Serbia in the semifinals.
Germany, for its part, missed out on a first-ever title after reaching the gold medal match for a second successive time.
The success for Russia’s women’s team comes little more than a year after coach Sergei Ovchinnikov committed suicide in the aftermath of a surprise defeat for the team in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games.
