Luxembourg, November 20, 2019. The home match of the third round of the CEV Champions League Volley 2020 Men goes to Benfica LISBOA: the Portuguese team defeated Mladost ZAGREB in three sets, getting closer to the qualification to the Fourth Round of the competition. The away match will be played in Croatia the 27th of November, whilst for the 21st of November is scheduled the other home match of the third round, the game between Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD of Serbia and Shakhtior SOLIGORSK of Belarus.

•    André Aleixo ‘Japa’ scored a match-high 18 points and was the MVP of the game.
•    After this victory, Benfica LISBOA have an edge ahead of the re-match in Croatia.
•    Tymofii Poluian was the best blocker (5) and the player who scored the most points for Mladost ZAGREB (14).

Marcel Matz, head coach of Benfica: “It was a big step for us. It was a hard, difficult win, even more difficult than the other two games. We have to keep focused on the next match. I want to thank all the fans for their support, it is very important for us.”

André Aleixo ‘Japa’, player of Benfica: “I am very happy. I want to thank the team for the great job they did tonight. This is only the first step. The next game will be a different story and we will have to work harder and be stronger. It is great to win in front of our supporters. We are very confident for the away game.”

Radovan Malevic, head coach of Mladost ZAGREB: “Congratulations to Benfica. They are a very experienced team; we made some mistakes at the end of first set. We are a young team, I know that, but we have to be more concentrated. The second match will be a good one, we still have the chance to progress to the group stage of the Champions League and it will not be easy for Benfica.”

Ivan Raic, player of Mladost ZAGREB: “It was a tough match. Benfica has more experienced players and that was crucial. I hope we can play better the next match at home and we will do everything to win.”

Watch more action from the game: all the CEV Champions League Volley 2020 matches are LIVE and On-Demand on EuroVolleyTV.