Romania secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ukraine in the CEV European Championship on Saturday evening. The result shifted the balance in Group C, with the visitors proving too much for the hosts on their own court. By then, Romania had already established themselves as genuine contenders for the tournament crown.
Ukraine sat second in the table with 12 points from five matches, their sole defeat coming against Poland earlier in the week. Romania held third place with nine points from three wins and two losses. A victory would have tightened the gap considerably, and that is precisely what unfolded.
The hosts arrived with mixed recent form, having lost twice in their last five encounters but also showing flashes of dominance with a 3-0 win over Portugal. Romania's record was less tidy but carried more momentum, particularly their hard-fought 3-2 triumph against France on Wednesday.
We had backed Romania to win at 66 per cent confidence, and the match played out exactly as anticipated. They were clinical when it mattered, and Ukraine simply could not find a response. The support of the Ukrainian crowd may have been devoted, but it made little difference on the scoreboard.
The result leaves Romania three points behind Ukraine with both sides having played five matches. Romania now have nothing to lose in their remaining fixtures, while Ukraine's margin for error has shrunk considerably after their second defeat of the campaign.
