Luxembourg, March 21, 2018. After a straight set upset on home soil last week, Bunge RAVENNA fought back to defeat Maliye Piyango SK ANKARA on Wednesday night and reach the #CEVChallengeCupM Final. After the Italians recorded a 3-1 victory, ANKARA and RAVENNA were down to play a Golden Set, which decided that the Italian club will get the chance of playing for the CEV Challenge Cup title. In Greece, Olympiacos PIRAEUS beat Russian Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT without losing a set for the second time, proving a confident opponent in the final of #CEVChallengeCupM. 


Maliye Piyango SK ANKARA (TUR) vs. Bunge RAVENNA (ITA) 1-3 (22-25, 25-22, 19-25, 19-25) Golden set: 14-16

Olympiacos PIRAEUS (GRE) vs. Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT (RUS) 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-21)

• Once again the supporters of Olympiacos PIRAEUS proved to be the “seventh” player for the Greek team, as they supported their attempt to reach the CEV Challenge Cup Final, singing and shouting from the first to the last point. PIRAEUS started slowly, trailing 2-4, but they reacted soon sailing to an 11-4 lead in the first set, which they eventually won 25-22.
• Nikos Zoupani was sensational in the last points of the second set, first with an attack and block, winning the 25th point of the set. Konstantinos Christofidelis came up from the bench and his performance was crucial in reception and service, putting a lot of pressure on the Russian side. Coach Fernando Munoz put an emphasis on keeping all of his players ready in order to take a place on court and play.
• After a first clean 3-0 victory in Russia, Olympiacos PIRAEUS managed to record another 3-0 win (25-22, 25-17, 25-21) against Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT, thus qualifying for the CEV Challenge Cup Final. In front of more than 1,200 fans, who were also celebrating the qualification of the women team to the Final, Olympiacos PIRAEUS achieved high standards of performance. This is the fifth appearance of PIRAEUS in the final stage of a European Cup competition. In the Final, Olympiacos PIRAEUS will face Bunge RAVENNA from Italy. The second match that will determine the winner will be held at the Peace & Friendship Stadium on April 11.

Rafael Khabibullin, coach of Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT: “I would like to say that today Olympiacos PIRAEUS played very well. Ourselves we didn’t play well enough to win this game. Congratulations to PIRAEUS for their qualification to the final.” 

Maxim Troinin, outside spiker of Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT: “After our loss in the first game we wanted to win here. We knew that it would be very difficult, because of the amazing fans here, who are very loud and create a very good atmosphere. Today Olympiacos PIRAEUS were very good, it was impossible for us to stop them. Congratulations to Olympiacos and good luck in the final.”

Fernando Munoz Benitez, coach of Olympiacos PIRAEUS: “We are very happy about our qualification to the final. This is very important for our president, for our club and of course for our players and the technical staff. Now we have to celebrate, we have to enjoy, and of course to prepare very well for the finals. I wish our fans were able to always experience victories like the one we had today, they are amazing. I’m sure in the forthcoming difficult games they will be even better than today!”

Georgios Petreas, middle blocker of Olympiacos PIRAEUS: “I think this moment is very important for our club. Today it was a very good performance from our team. Just like in Russia, we didn’t give SURGUT the opportunity to win a set. I think we have a very strong team, we compete for four trophies. We are working hard game by game and I think we will be ready for the forthcoming games. Our fans are amazing! The atmosphere in our court is something special, that you cannot find anywhere else. I am sure that all spectators will experience something very special during the final that will be played in Peace & Friendship Stadium.”

For more details about #CEVChallengeCupM click here.