11/04/2018 09:00
Olympiacos and RAVENNA to lock horns again for #CEVChallengeCupM title
2018 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup - Men
Piraeus, Greece, April 11, 2018. The official press conference ahead of the second final of the 2018 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus. The head coach of Olympiacos, Fernando Munoz Benitez and the captain Kostantinos Christofidelis represented the home side while head coach Fabio Soli and their setter Santiago Orduna took the floor for Bunge RAVENNA. The Italians claimed a 3-1 home victory last week and as a result, they are ‘only’ two sets away from securing the title.
“I would like to thank our club, Olympiacos for providing us with the opportunity to compete in such a venue. Olympiacos is one of the biggest teams in Europe. It has been hosting matches of the Champions League, Euroleague and Final Four tournaments as well. Every sport section of the club participates in European competitions and we would like to thank Olympiacos and its staff for the excellent organisation of this final,” Munoz Benitez said.
What does the team have to change in comparison with the first game? “First of all, I would like to say that if Kostas [Christofidelis] wants, he could play for another ten years. He is in an extremely good shape in order to continue his career. As far as the first game is concerned, we made some mistakes in crucial moments. In this situation, this is the first thing that we need to avoid. On another note, we have to play better both technically and tactically. We will try to focus on these elements. We have proved during the season that we can play better technically and tactically than we did last week in Ravenna and that is one of our strongest points. Tactically, we have to keep some situations under control the best way we can,” the Spanish coach continued.
Kostas Christofidelis: “We are really happy to be here in this amazing and historic venue and it is great to be able to perform before our crowd. Our crowd is enthusiastic, we know that, and it is going to be a great atmosphere and of course, we wait for their full support during the match. Therefore, the players and the team are 100% ready. In the first match, the result was not so good for us, and we are not happy with our performance. So, we are more than ready to perform better and what we want is to celebrate one of the biggest moments in our history with our fans by lifting the trophy.”
How different is a game in Peace and Friendship Stadium? “It is really different to play before one thousand or two thousand people,” he continued. “In this case, it is going to be really different and unique. I think that it is the best place where to play Volleyball. Over the years, I have played many matches here with an amazing atmosphere and I am sure that the fans will support us in the best way.”
Will fans have the chance to watch Kostas Christofidelis playing in another European game with Olympiacos? “As far as I am concerned, I want to live this moment,” the 40-year-old said. “I wish that all athletes would have the opportunity to live this again and perform in many European matches. I do not know if this is going to be my last European match. If we win the cup, I will let you know whether this is my last European match or not.”
Fabio Soli, head coach of Bunge RAVENNA: “We are here to compete for this final and it is a pleasure for us to be here in this atmosphere, in this kind of court to play this game. What we did in the first game, I think that it is a great result for us. However, this second match at the home of Olympiacos is an open one because of the atmosphere. What we did before, I think that it belongs to the past. We have to focus on the result of this second game.”
Santiago Orduna, player of Bunge RAVENNA: “We are really happy to have made it to this final. I am sure that tomorrow it is going to be amazing playing in a court like this with a nice atmosphere. We know that they will have the support of the crowd. We will try to do our best and have a good game. The players and the coaching staff are here to compete. We came to play Volleyball and nothing else. We know that the atmosphere will be amazing, and the fans will be great. In any case, the team is here to compete.”
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