The two favourites lived up to their roles. Both Turkey and Serbia qualified for the semi-finals.

Tickets for the semi-finals are still available at: eventim.nl 

More than 7,500 Turkish and Polish fans found their way to Palace 12. In turn, the supporters' chants alternated.

The Poles took the best start. With hitting smashes and placed serves, they soon build a points gap. Stimulated by the Turkish fans, Turkey strikes back. They reverse the deficit and run out in turn. Poland cannot hit b ack. The first set goes to Turkey with the smallest difference.

The same scenario in the second set. A smooth Polish start is undone by Turkish attacking duo Vargas and Karakurt. The Poles prod against through Stysiak and Rozanski. However, Turkey plays just a bit more efficiently and makes fewer errors. They win this set too after an exciting final stage.

During the third set, Turkey definitely pulled the sheet to itself. They took an early lead and never relinquished it. Without too many problems Turkey qualifies for the semi-finals. Their opponent will be Italy.

Final score Turkey - Poland: 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18)

Serbia also qualifies for the semi-finals on 1 September. To the applause of their fans, they beat a creditable Czech Republic.

Both teams start the match strongly. Both Serbia and the Czech Republic put the heat on each other with hard smashes. Also from the service line the players do their work. Going into the final phase, the signs are still hanging. However, the Czech Republic remains the coolest and wins the first set with the smallest difference.

Serbia has clearly woken up and starts the second set excellently. They soon lead by several points. The Czech Republic looks for the connection but cannot find it. Step by step, Serbia increases the lead. They maintain control and make it 1-1.

The third set is a repeat of the second. In the fourth set, the Czech Republic comes up again. At 10-10, Boskovic thinks it is enough and pushes the accelerator fully. The Czech Republic can't keep up. Serbia wins the match without too many problems.

Final score Serbia - Czech Republic: 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-11, 25-14)