Volero coach Terzic says Pomi ‘deserved to win’

Volero Zurich may have bowed down to Pomi Casalmaggiore in the semifinals of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, but its head coach Zoran Terzic gave his support to the Italian champions as they go into the finals against defending champions Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul.

“They deserved to win,” said Terzic after Volero lost in four sets, 27-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena. “One simple reason: They played with much more courage in service and attack. They played well defensively. They definitely deserved to win.”

Pomi scored on 54 of its spikes, four more than Volero did, and it had 12 points off blocks, three more than the Swiss club.

Volero, winner of the bronze medal in the 2015 tournament, will have to face VakifBank Istanbul in the battle-for-third match on Sunday.

Pomi, meanwhile, is the defending European champions. But the team is a first-timer in the world stages and would go up against defending champions Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul in the gold medal round.

If Terzic could praise Pomi, he could not forget to pinpoint his team’s problem.

“Volero is a team that has problems with these kinds of situations, we played very well until today,” said Terzic, whose team topped Pool B in the group stages after going 3-0. “We have to work on our volleyball and our psychology to be better for the next competition.”