Latvia`s U22 women`s team began their #EuroVolleyU22W qualifier campaign with a narrow 3-2 defeat (22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-16, 8-15) against hosts Denmark on Friday at the Daugavpils Olympic Centre.
The opening set was a tight battle, with neither side establishing more than a two-point advantage until the closing stages. However, Denmark secured the final three points, sealed by attacks from Nikita Maria Egemark Clausen, to take the set 25-22.
At the start of the second set, the home team gained a 5:2 lead after an unsuccessful attack by Alma Tabermann Uhrenholt. However, the Danes quickly responded with three consecutive points, tying the score at 5:5 following a block by Clausen. After the score reached 12:12, the Danish team pulled ahead and capitalized on Latvia’s weak reception and an attack into the net by Anete Čelnova, winning the set 25-22.
In the third set, despite Marta Gintere scoring the first point with a quick middle attack, Denmark earned the next two points and established an 8:5 lead after an attack by Mille Bassøe. Latvia only managed to regain the lead after a 4:0 run, which included an unreturnable serve by Rūta Putene, making the score 16:14. Denmark couldn`t recover, and Latvia secured the set 25-21 with a successful attack by Gintere.
The home team carried their momentum into the fourth set, starting with two service aces from Anna Cepurīte for a 3:0 lead. Following an error by Uhrenholt in attack, Latvia extended their lead to 15:8 and ultimately won the set 25-16 with another spike from Gintere.
In the decisive final set, Denmark scored the initial two points and maintained control throughout, securing a commanding 15-8 victory after an attack by Bassøe.
Latvia’s top scorer was Karmena Struka with 13 points, including two from serves and two from blocks. Rūta Putene contributed 11 points, while Katrīna Struka, Anna Cepurīte (with four service aces), and Marta Gintere each added nine points.
For the Danish team, Veronika Kjaer Sørensen and Mille Bassøe both recorded 15 points. Nikita Clausen tallied 14 points, five of which came from blocks, while Marie Sonne Kristensen scored 12 points, a third of those from blocks.
Danish player Nikita Maria Egemark Clausen commented: “I knew Kristīne Leskinoviča from the Latvian team – we had played together at club level. Latvia has a good, physically strong team. It was a great match from both sides, and I’m really happy we managed to win the final set. We kept our energy until the end and played our game. I can’t even say what exactly made us better. We’re friends as a team, even off the court. We talk to each other and know what it takes to get the best out of our game. We have to keep doing that in tomorrow’s match.”
Latvian U22 head coach Atvars Ozoliņš, making his official debut as a women’s national team coach, added: “The Danish team started the match more aggressively and confidently, while our girls were more cautious and maybe a bit too nervous. I’m proud of the team for continuing to fight and tying it at 2-2. Still, in the fifth set, Denmark proved they came here to fight for a place in the final tournament. Today, the team that was more aggressive and confident won. We definitely can play better, and we had limited information about the opponents beforehand. Denmark, whose game was shaped by two key players, surprised us. Sunday’s match against Ukraine will be decisive. It’s hard to say whether it’s easier to coach – sometimes I wished I could be on the court myself – but it’s an interesting process. I’m happy to be part of it, helping the girls while learning a lot myself from Inguna [Minusa] and Daniele [Capriotti].”
Today, the team that was more aggressive and confident won. We definitely can play better… Sunday’s match against Ukraine will be decisive.
On Saturday, Denmark is scheduled to play against Ukraine, and on Sunday, Latvia will also face the Ukrainians.
The winners from each of the five qualification groups, along with the two best second-placed teams, will advance to the final round. They will join the host nation for the tournament. The final tournament, featuring players born on or after January 1, 2005, is set to take place in The Hague, Netherlands, from July 7 to 12, 2026.
