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The action in the CEV Volleyball European Golden League 2022 - Women has been continued on Saturday with as many as three exciting encounters. In the first match of the day, Croatia and Slovakia locked horns in Pool B in Varazdin. The home side and runners-up of the 2021 edition successfully bounced back after the opening loss on Wednesday and proved better than Slovakia after 87 minutes of the game, earning a straight set win, mainly thanks to excellent work on block (13-2) and the outstanding performance of 20-year-old Mika Grbavica who scored 23 points.

The runners-up of the 2021 edition were the leading side during most of the opening set, even if they struggled a lot in receptions - only 18% in this component (54% on the side of Slovakia). The visiting team tried to chase the score, and they eventually did in the middle of the set, taking even 16-14 lead, but it was a cold shower for the host. Croatia, who dominated on the block (5-1) started their impressive run, winning this set 25-19. Bozana Butigan became a leader of the team with six points to her name, including three winning blocks, one point less scored Mika Grbavica.

The hosts kept the momentum, taking an early 8-4 lead. The team under the guidance of the coach Ferhat Akbas visible improved reception (44%) and remained dominant on block, scoring five points in this element again, with solid performance also in attack. They actually didn't have to look back keeping the score safe until the end of the second part.

However, Slovakia was not thinking about giving up and the third set looked completely different than previous. The team around coach Masek started it with new energy and perfect receptions (62%). They took a 4-1 lead and stayed ahead by three points up until 14-14, when Croatia managed to to tie. It didn't take long to the hosts to take up the lead, reaching a maximumum of four points at 20-16, mainly thanks to the great efforts of Mika Grbavica who scored unbelievable 12 points in that set. But Slovakia had on their side, also impressing, Karin Sunderlikova, who helped her team to equal the score at 24-24. Both sides showed great volleybal, the visiting side denied the first match point, but didn't manage to use any of their three chances to win the set. Eventually, a lucky ace from Laura Milos gave Croatia their first win in this campaign.

Obviously, it was Mika Grbavica, who topped the scorers chart with an outstanding 23 points and 50% success in attack. On Slovakia's side Sunderlikova tallied 12 points.