07/02/2019 22:40
Hungarian champions edge French rivals after real drama in #CEVCupW quarterfinals
2019 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
Békéscsaba, Hungary, February 7, 2019. On Thursday night, Swietelsky BÉKÉSCSABA emerged victorious from a dramatic five-set match with France’s SAINT RAPHAËL Var VB in the first round of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Cup – Women quarterfinals. The return match will be taking place on February 13 in Saint Raphaël.
• The hosts claimed an early 10-5 lead in the first set, courtesy of many mistakes made by their opponents; however, the French team came back to draw level at 19-19 before Ksenija Ivanovic and Nikoleta Perovic secured a 25-23 win for Swietelsky.
• SAINT RAPHAËL Var VB stormed to an 8-5 lead in the second set before Swietelsky made it 16-all with the help of their young, promising middle blocker Hanna Bodovics. However, the visitors scored point after point to clinch a 25-18 win.
• A series of blocks prompted a 9-5 lead for Swietelsky before the hosts found themselves trailing 13-16 in the third set. Bodovics and Perovic stepped up their efforts for a 24-22 edge in favour of Swietelsky but the French team scored four points in a row for a 26-24 win.
• The fourth set was a real delight for the crowd. The French team edged ahead at 11-8 but after a timeout, Perovic and Sofija Medic helped Swietelsky flip the charts around at 14-12. Perovic spiked with incredible power for 19-16 before Swietelsky failed to cash two set balls. The visitors made it 24-all but this time around, the hosts sealed a 26-24 win with the help of Ivanovic and Dorottya Bodnar.
• Swietelsky stormed to a 4-1 lead in the tiebreak and had an 8-5 advantage at the side switch. Perovic, Bodnar and Medic extended the Hungarian lead to 12-7. The visitors could not come back anymore and Tatjana Bokan finished the game with a terrific spike for 15-10 and 3-2.
• Perovic and Bokan top scored for the home side with 26 and 19 points, respectively, as Michaela Abrhamova registered 18 for the visitors.
Bogdan Paul, head coach of Swietelsky BÉKÉSCSABA: “It was an extremely close game, where both teams fought for every ball. We lost focus in the third set but I am proud that we managed to play very well in the fourth. In the fifth set, we really gave everything we had, and that is why we won. The opponent showed extremely good defence, they are tall and they know how to block. I am expecting a close second game in France.”
Click here for further information.
|