04/03/2020 20:20
Conegliano close in on women's Champions League last four spot
CEV Champions League Volley 2020 - Women
Luxembourg, March 4, 2020. Italy's A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano are on track for a ticket to the semifinals of the 2020 women's Champions League after scoring a very convincing 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-20) away win in Germany over Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the first leg of their quarterfinals clash, Wednesday evening.
Conegliano now need just two sets in the return leg due to take place next week in Italy to advance, after completely dominating the game in Stuttgart across all skills.
Even when Stuttgart started to put up some resistance in the third set, Conegliano responded with a 4-0 run after 15-15 that settled matters once and for all, with the Netherlands' Robin de Kruijf delivering the final blow from the middle for match point.
Paola Egonu with 63% (17/27) in attack and a match high 20 points (of which three aces and two blocks) spearheaded Conegliano, as de Kruijf added another 15 including three aces and four blocks.
Turkey's VakifBank are also close to a spot in the last four, following their sweep in Russia of Dinamo Moscow on Tuesday. The other two quarterfinal first legs, Savino Del Bene Scandicci vs Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul vs Igor Gorgonzola Novara, have been postoponed dure to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
Allianz MTV STUTTGART (GER) vs A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO (ITA) 0-3 (17-25, 16-25, 20-25)
"After not having played for ten days it was all about continuity and the easy things. After securing the basics, the rest came by itself. It was very nice to play here in Stuttgart."
Paola Egonu, A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano opposite
"We played against the best team in the world, and had nothing to lose. We started very well, but they are so strong. They played well, so they deserved the win. We enjoyed the game. The plan for the rematch is that we want to have fun and enjoy the game, but nevertheless we will attack, analyse tonight's match and focus on the things we do."
Celine Van Gestel, Allianz MTV Stuttgart outside hitter
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