KFUM Herrar B – Värnamo 3-2 (17-25, 25-14, 25-18, 17-25, 15-13)

Setter: Ala

Spike: Andreas, Jon, Elias, Isak

Center: Ali, Erik D

Opposite: Farid

Libero: Erik M

Coach: Susi

Assistant Coach: Leon

We didn’t have a bad start into our home game against Värnamo, but already at 3-3 we lost track. Because of frequent own mistakes Värnamo took an early lead of a couple points and the lead would only increase throughout the first set. We made it far too easy for Värnamo – missed serves, unnecessary net touches, line violations; we became more and more nervous and quickly the first set was gone to Värnamo at 17-25.

Understandably, Susi, who had on short notice agreed to support us as a coach, was not happy at all. Good that the second set went much better. In the beginning it was still an even game, also because we needed some time to get back our confidence. From 10-10 however, we managed to reduce our error-rate and dictate our game on the court. At 20-12 Elias came in for Andreas who still suffers under a back injury from previous match. Set number 2 went 25-14 to KFUM.

We continued with the same line-up and the third set would become a copy very much of the second one. The game was even until 11-12 when Ala put in a 5-point serve rally and we managed to pull away. The point gap quickly grew larger thanks to good defensive work and solid attacks and the third set went 25-18 to us.

For the fourth set Andreas came back onto the court for Elias. Something else however had changed as well. Maybe we took it to easy thinking this game was already won for us. Suddenly we were back to the error-prone play we had already seen in the first set. Värnamo didn’t have to work much for their points - way too little communication, also some unlucky decisions against us, but mainly our own unnecessary mistakes such as six missed serves, gave the fourth set away to Värnamo at 17-25.

So, it was down to the fifth and final set. And Värnamo had the better start, quickly expanding a lead up to 2-8 when we changed sides. Suddenly the hall was very quiet. However, Farid took responsibility, delivered a 6-point serve rally, and put the spark back on our confidence. Suddenly it was an even and open fight where every rally was fought with very high intensity. The coach, the bench and the audience, everybody was holding their breaths and the screams and celebrations grew with every point for KFUM. At 14-11 we had worked ourselves to 3 match balls. With a powerful diggie spike Andreas converted the third match ball into victory, making the team and all KFUM supporters explode in joy.

“Det var en riktig nära match! Andreas – MVP; Jon – Best Dad; Leon – Best attitude; Farid – Best back spike; Isak –A lot of noise; Erik – Best Block; Erik – Best receiving; Ali – Penguin; Ala – Best passer.” (Quote from Isak)

Thanks to Värnamo, who put up a performance much, much stronger than their current position in the division might suggest. Looking forward to meeting again in spring!