Small Countries Association

It was a real gold medal match for the SCA Women’s Championship crown when Iceland took on the reigning Champions from Scotland in a thrilling five-set match. It was clear from the start the gold medal match was a repetition of the pool phase where Scotland beat Iceland, 3-2. This gold medal match was a nerve-cracking match, with highs and lows for both teams. Iceland showed more resilience in particular in the first set, down 23-17 the team managed to come back and score 8 points in a row, showing that it carried a real Championship character and securing the SCA Championship title that was well deserved and an incredible performance. In sets Iceland vs Scotland 3-2 (25-23, 12-25, 25-14, 23-25, 15-12).

The Scottish gave the tone in the first set by taking the lead from the start, forcing Iceland for a time-out, 10-5. The Scottish team had good attacks from position 4 and a strong block that worked well for Scotland forcing Iceland to take the second time-out in the match, 15-9. Iceland scored 3 points in a row and Scotland took time-out 15-12. It seemed to work, Scotland got into a comfortable position with the lead 23-17 and it looked like the match was over for Iceland, but the team showed its resilience throughout the tournament scoring 8 points in a row and winning the set 25-23. It was like cold water into the face of the Scottish team.

Scotland answered with a strong beginning in the second set, leading 7-4 and never looking back, winning the set 25-12 by dominating most actions on the court. Everything worked perfectly, players were taking the dive for the saves and the team managed to counterattack when needed while Iceland had a hard time getting their key spikers to deliver the attack efficiently besides several technical errors.

In the third set, Iceland took the lead 11-3 but Scotland scored 5 points in a row forcing Iceland to a time-out in the position 11-8. Iceland sailed the set to the end after having improved their play from the previous set, winning 25-14.

In the fourth set, it was a fight for every point but Scotland took the lead 17-14 and 21-16 when Iceland took its second time-out. Iceland came close 23-22 but the Scottish team was not over as the team managed to secure the golden set with a 25-23 win.

Iceland started better in the golden set but Scotland managed to level 3-3, then the Icelandic squad took over the match in every sense, strong serve and good attack combination of the net delivered Iceland the 2023 SCA Championship title. 

Luxembourg took the bronze after beating Malta

Luxembourg took on Malta in the bronze medal match, winning in 3 straight sets, 25-17, 25-23, 25-22. The Maltese girls did a fantastic job in this Championships and it is clear that the team is likely to develop to a higher level in the near future. For Luxembourg, the bronze medal was in some way a disappointment but also their main competitors have improved their performance gradually in the last few years.