Zagreb, Croatia, October 22, 2019. Mladost ZAGREB celebrated their first Champions League victory in many years, as they needed three sets only to secure a home win over IBB Polonia LONDON. The rookies from England could not crown with success their historic #CLVolleyM debut – the first time any team from the United Kingdom has contested a match in Europe’s prime competition. After returning to play for Mladost for the first time in many years, local hero Ivan Raic received the award for the MVP of the match.
Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) vs IBB Polonia LONDON (ENG) 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-14)
- 550 spectators witnessed the match in Dom Odbojke Bojan Stranic in Zagreb, called the home of Croatian Volleyball.
- For IBB Polonia LONDON it was the first time ever in the competition and also the first time a club from England played a CEV Champions League match.
- The reigning champions of Croatia, Mladost ZAGREB used their experience and with no remorse took advantage of all of their opponent's weaknesses, winning the sets to -11,-17 and -14. Last weekend IBB Polonia faced the champions of Poland, Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE, and lost that match 0-3 as well.
- In the second set, the team from London tried to improve their game, Aden Tutton played better in reception, but Kruno Nikacevic served three aces for Mladost.
- The best scorers of the match with 15 points were Ivan Raic (Mladost ZAGREB) and Mihail Stoev (IBB Polonia LONDON).
Bartosz Kisielewicz, team captain of IBB Polonia LONDON: “This is our debut match in the CEV Champions League. We are not as experienced as our opponent. I believe we can do better than we did in this match. Now we have 7-8 days for the recovery. We will fight on our home court, in front of our supporters. I am sure it will look different than today.”
Evangelos Koutouleas, head coach of IBB Polonia LONDON: “For us this was a difficult game. The league in the UK is not as strong as this one. We have played a few friendly matches, but not enough. Today we missed Giba and three more players. We will be a different team when we will play back in London.”
Ivan Raič, outside-hitter of Mladost ZAGREB: “Today we played against England’s champions and we won 3-0. I am very satisfied with the result and also with the quality of the game that we have shown. I hope we will repeat the same quality of the game as well as the result in our next match.”
Radovan Malević, head coach of Mladost ZAGREB: “I am very satisfied with today’s match. I am absolutely ready for the next match. We are going to London for a win. Congratulations to my players for giving us a very good match. The cohesion of the team was at high level, but it is not yet our maximum. I know very well that in London the English team will have the Brazilian player Giba. We are waiting for this match with much focus because Giba is one of the best players in the world.”
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