It was a game of nerves, a difficult psychological encounter, but no less physical demands, because the day before, Croatian volleyball players broke the resistance of the Swedes in five sets, while the Dutch had one more day to rest.

Ivan Raič, the corrector of our national team who won the final of the match, and who, along with Filip Šestan, was the most efficient in our ranks with 17 points, revealed: "We knew before the game that one set was enough to be among the best second-placed teams to the Euro, but we started quite nervously from the start. However, we showed that we have character at the end of the first set, and when we got it in our favor, we played more relaxed. In fact, it was only then that we started to play more freely. I think it was a good, and interesting match in which we deservedly celebrated in the end. ''

The captain of our national team and, along with Ivan Raič, its longest-serving member, Tsimafei Zhukouski, did not hide his happiness after the match: '' I would like to congratulate my team, the entire professional staff and all the people who believed in us. It’s hard to describe the feelings right now after this long-awaited triumph for which we worked hard. We will prepare for the Euro to the maximum and we believe that we will not disappoint you. ''

Croatian volleyball players deserved this placement at the Euro, because they beat the favored Netherlands 3: 2, which is still the first idea directly to the Euro due to the higher number of points won.

Next weekend, Croatian volleyball players are back in action, this time in the Silver Group of the European League, which will be a great preparation for the European Championship.