Greece misses out on Eurovolley

The men's national volleyball team came close to reaching the Eurovolley 2017 finals, but eventually succumbed to Spain and missed out on next year's tournament.

After losing 3-0 to Spain on October 1 with a miserable performance at the Canary Islands, Greece had to win 3-0 or 3-1 in the return leg in Kozani on Saturday and then win the "golden set".

The Greeks led 2-1 and 21-18 in the fourth set on the way to accomplishing their difficult task, but the Spaniards fought back and won the set 28-26, reducing the fifth set to a mere formality.

Greece won the tie-break and the second leg with 3-2 score, but it was Spain that got the ticket to the finals.

"The team fought under adverse conditions. This effort has to continue," said national team coach Sotiris Drikos, clearly disappointed.