08/02/2018 09:00
VakifBank and Dinamo to clash in #CLVolleyW ‘Match of the Week’
2018 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Women
Luxembourg, February 8, 2018. Two matches taking place in Plovdiv and Istanbul will bring the curtain down after another exciting week of action in the pool stage of the 2018 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Women. The ‘Match of the Week’ featuring titleholders VakifBank ISTANBUL and Russia’s Dinamo MOSCOW will draw much of the attention – especially since the Muscovites need a positive result in order to remain in contention for a spot in the Playoffs. Chemik POLICE, on the other hand, will be trying to claim their second victory in as many matches with Bulgaria’s Maritza PLOVDIV to cement their second place in Pool C.
Maritza PLOVDIV (BUL) vs. Chemik POLICE (POL)
• Maritza PLOVDIV are still looking for their first win in Pool C.
• In the first encounter between the two teams, Chemik POLICE managed a 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-12) victory at home, in Koszalin.
• This will be the second away match for Chemik in the pool. In the first leg, they mastered a straight-set victory at Vizura RUMA.
• Since their trip to Poland, Maritza have signed up with 17-year-old Bulgarian international Aleksandra Milanova, who top-scored against her previous club Slaviya SOFIA in her National Volleyball League debut with the Yellow-and-Blues and is expected to be in Maritza’s line-up against Chemik.
• After defeating Maritza in the Champions League, Chemik claimed two four-set victories in their domestic league and climbed to the top of the current standings.
• Still unbeaten in eight matches, Maritza are table leaders in their domestic league as well.
• Both teams are the reigning champions of their countries.
Lora Kitipova, player of Maritza PLOVDIV: “We don’t stand much of a chance to move forward in the competition, but we will do our best on the court as we understand that these matches bring very valuable experience to our players. We have nothing to lose, so we have to play with a positive mind-set. I don’t think the victory against any of our three opponents is just a mirage.”
Natalia Mędrzyk, player of Chemik POLICE: “We expect a more difficult match than the one in Koszalin. I have never played in Bulgaria before; this will be my first time. It will be great if we manage to win as we did in our first encounter with Maritza. We are entering the match with our minds set for victory.”
VakifBank ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS)
• VakifBank ISTANBUL claimed four titles in 2017, i.e. the CEV Volleyball Champions League, the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, Turkey’s Supercup and national cup.
• VakifBank ISTANBUL were the first Turkish team to win Europe’s elite club competition – in 2011 – and the only one to have three titles to their name – 2011, 2013 and 2017.
• VakifBank have not lost a Champions League home match since December 11, 2014 when they lost 1-3 to France’s RC CANNES.
• It is the last home match in Pool D for VakifBank where they have three wins in as many matches so far.
VakifBank team captain Gözde Kirdar: “Dinamo MOSCOW is an incredibly strong team, especially in attack. They recently transferred a player to strengthen their roster. It will be a very important match for us, because we want to secure first place in Pool D. We are working very hard for this match and I hope our supporters will not leave us alone.”
VakifBank middle blocker Milena Rasic: “Dinamo MOSCOW is a very good team. I am sure they will come here to give everything they can. We know how important this game is for us and for them as well. We have to be ready for this match.”
VakifBank ISTANBUL head coach Giovanni Guidetti: “For sure this will be a very different match from the one that we had in Moscow. This match will be Dinamo MOSCOW’s last chance to stay in contention for a spot in the Playoffs. They have a new and very good player in attack. It will be a very difficult match for us. We have to play very carefully.”
How to follow the matches...
Watch them live: http://cev.laola1.tv/
Click here for a comprehensive TV schedule.
Live score, statistics, reports and photos: all available on www.cev.lu
Social Media: Follow via the official event hashtag (#CLVolleyW) with the most regular updates coming on our competition Twitter account @CEVolleyballCL
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