Luxembourg, November 27, 2019. Wednesday crowned the quest for the most coveted spots in the group stage of the CEV Champions League Volley 2020 – Men. Serbian reigning champions Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD were the first one celebrating a ticket to Round 4 already after winning two sets in their away game against Shakhtior SOLIGORSK, eventually defeating the hosts in straight sets for the second time in as many matches. Later in the evening, Benfica LISBOA tried to repeat this feat against Mladost ZAGREB and eventually secured a ticket to the pool phase as well, by taking the two first sets and winning this duel 3-1. Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD and Benfica LISBOA join the Pool E and D, respectively, starting the 4th Round already next week.
- Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD earned an early lead in the opening set (8-3), but the home side managed to bridge the gap quickly (8-7). For the remainder of the set, the Serbians had a slight advantage in the score. Aleksandar Blagojevic eventually closed the opener 25-23 for the visitors.
- The home team being in a tight corner began the next set pretty well not letting the rivals run away too easily. Danilo Pavlovic performed well in attack, but in the middle of the set the hosts did not withstand the pressure from the opponent.
- Winning two sets, NOVI SAD secured their spot in the #CLVolleyM Round 4, where they will feature for the third time in their history.
- The two teams fought hard in the decisive part of set 3, but NOVI SAD used the first match ball to secure a 3-0 win.
- SOLIGORSK performed very well in block, scoring 9 stuffs in the end (Viachaslau Shmat had three on its own).
- Pavle Peric (NOVI SAD) tallied a match-high 14 points, on the other side of the net Viachaslau Charapovich scored 10 times.
- Aliaksei Kurash, setter of SOLIGORSK was named the MVP of the match.
Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD celebrating victory and qualification to Round 4
Viktar Beksha, head coach of Shakhtior SOLIGORSK: “The opponents have completed their goal. It is important to have a good start to the game. Vojvodina did it better. Here in Minsk, we played better in individual components, but these efforts were not enough.”
Stevan Simic, player of Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD: “For our team it was important to start the re-match in Minsk by winning the first set. Vojvodina tried to control the situation on the court. We knew that our opponents would play better here than they did in Novi Sad. Now we are happy and ready to play the first match in the pool phase against Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE.”
- Mladost ZAGREB and Benfica LISBOA started the game fully motivated, presenting a good level, but Benfica LISBOA managed to take a lead (14-10) and to keep it till the end of the opening set. Raphael Thiago Oliveira and Marino Marelic tallied six points for Benfica and Mladost.
- Set 2 did not start in favour of ZAGREB either, who did their best to stay in the game, but they trailed for most of the time. The home team saved three set points, but LISBOA realised their goal and by earning two sets, they qualified to Round 4.
- After losing a chance to qualify for the pool phase, Mladost ZAGREB still wanted to show their best in front of a home crowd. They played well in block and were more successful in attack - what was the key to win the third set.
- In the fourth set, Benfica LISBOA got back on track and totally dominated the game. ZAGREB managed to save two match points, but it was the Portuguese team that emerged victorious 3-1.
- Raphael Thiago Oliveira was the best scorer (19 points) and was named the well-deserved MVP of the match.
- Benfica LISBOA started their #CLVolleyM campaign in Round 1 staying unbeaten and dropping only two sets on their way to the group stage.
- LISBOA's first opponent in Pool D will be Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA of Italy. Benfica are the first team from Portugal to feature in the pool stage of the CEV Champions League since VITORIA SC did so in the season 2008-2009. Mladost, on the other hand, will continue their journey in the CEV Cup.
Both Mladost ZAGREB and Benfica LISBOA started their #CLVolleyM campaign in Round 1
Stefan Kovačević, player of Mladost ZAGREB: “It was a good match. We played well, but for now the team of Benfica is better. I would like to congratulate my team. Moreover, congrats to Benfica and wish them good luck in the group phase of the CEV Champions League.”
Radovan Malević, head coach of Mladost ZAGREB: “Benfica was absolutely the better team. Congratulations, Benfica! I wish them the very best in their next matches in the group phase of the CEV Champion League with high quality teams from Italy, France and Poland.”
Raphael Thiago Oliveira, player of Benfica LISBOA: “We are happy about the game. Our team played very well. Now we have qualified for the group phase and we are ready for this stage too.”
Marcel Matz, head coach of Benfica LISBOA: “It was a good match for us. Congratulations to all players. Congratulations to Benfica. Now we have new challenges in the pool phase of the Champions League. It is a very good thing for us.”
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