Belgium secured their place in the FIVB Challenger Cup semifinals after taking down Sweden 25-16, 25-23, and 25-22 on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Manon Stragier spearheaded the offense for Belgium with 17 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace, while Britt Fransen added 12 points on six attacks, five blocks, and a service ace.
Pauline Martin also delivered 11 points for Belgium, which will face Puerto Rico in a knockout semifinal round on Saturday.
“It was important for us to win the service-receive; it was a big part of the game today, which I think we dominated throughout the whole game,” Martin said in a post-game interview.
Leading by just two at 18-16 midway through the third set, Belgium went on a 6-3 scoring run, with four coming from Fransen, to reach match point at 24-19.
Sweden took advantage of Belgium’s errors to cut the deficit to 22-24, but Kaat Cos finished things up for Belgium with a crosscourt kill.
Anna Haak finished with 15 points, while Alexandra Lazic added 14 markers for Sweden.
The post FIVB Challenger Cup: Belgium dispatches Sweden to reach semis round first appeared on Fastbreak.
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