Luxembourg, November 6, 2019.  The champions from Belarus, Shakhtior SOLIGORSK, have started their CEV Champions League Volley 2020 - Men campaign with a hard-fought straight set win. After a fierce battle in the opening set, the home team were able to set aside the Finnish champions of Ford Store Levoranta SASTAMALA. With this 3-0 (29-27, 25-22, 25-13) win they give themselves an excellent starting position for reaching Round 3 of the Champions League next week when the return match is to be played in Finland.

 Shakhtior SOLIGORSK (BLR) vs. Ford Store Levoranta SASTAMALA (FIN) 3-0 (29-27, 25-22, 25-13)

• Ford Store Levoranta SASTAMALA was the leader at the start of the first set of the match with Shakhtior SOLIGORSK: 4-1. Mikko Oivanen was successful against the hosts but Danilo Pavlović helped take important points for Shakhtior: 8-5. In the end of the first set, Maksim Shkredau played the leading role, his points made the Belarusian team win the first set.
• The middle blockers of the Belarusian champions had an advantage in the second set.
• The head coach of Shakhtior allowed young players to play in the third set. The substitutions proved successful.
• Best scorer of the match was Maksim Shkredau - 15 points (including five blocks) and a 90% success rate in attack. For SASTAMALA opposite Mikko Oivanen made 14 points.
• MVP of the match was Maksim Shkredau.

Maksim Shkredau (Shakhtior OLIGORSK) receiving the award for MVP from CEV Supervisor Marek Prokes.

Janne Kangaskokko, head coach of Ford Store Levoranta SASTAMALA: “Despite the defeat in three sets, I think we had a good reception, defense, but lost in attack. We had a very good start to the match, but the leaders of Shakhtior were more convincing.”
 
Viktar Beksha, head coach of Shakhtior SOLIGORSK: “Ford Store SASTAMALA is a very strong opponent. At the start of the match in Minsk they showed how they can play. However, we managed to secure and keep the initiative. My guys acted without making any serious errors.”
 
Maksim Shkredau, match MVP for Shakhtior SOLIGORSK: “We wanted to start the Champions League successfully, but our opponents could spoil our emotions in the early stages of the match. We changed the tactics a bit, played carefully on the block and gained an all-important success.”