Intro:

The Netherlands moved through to the Group 2 finals on Saturday (1st August) with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in Poland.

Script:

The Netherlands were unbeaten in Group 2. The Czech Republic knew had it all to do in this final four clash in Lublin as both teams chased promotion back to Group 1.

Yet it was the Czechs who looked the more impressive team for most of the opening set and were ahead.

Netherlands coach Giovanni Guidetti called a timeout with the Czechs leading 18-17.

Whatever he said worked - the Netherlands turning the scores around, and taking the set 25-21.

While the first set was close, the second was anything but. With the scores at 5-5 the Netherlands scored seven points in a row to ease away from a frustrated Czech side.

The Netherlands closed it out 25-14.

However the Czechs responded in the third and at one stage the Czechs had set point, but it wasn't to be.

The Netherlands upped their game when it mattered to close it out 27-25 for a 25-21, 25-14, 27-25 victory.

Lonneke Sloetjies top scored for the Netherlands with 17 points, with Maret Balkestein-Grothues adding 15 more.

Tereza Vanzurova led the Czech point scores with 13 but it was in vain - the Netherlands through to the final.