05/02/2021 11:35
Arkas, JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel forfeit second batch of #CLVolleyM pool matches
CEV Champions League Volley 2021 - Men
Luxembourg, February 5, 2021. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel and Arkas IZMIR have unfortunately confirmed earlier this week their withdrawal from the second round of action in the pool stage of the elite CEV Champions League Volley 2021. After forfeiting their previous matches back in December, these two teams find themselves unavailable to return to the court at least for the matches scheduled for next week in Kazan and Perugia, respectively.
Arkas IZMIR have cited concerns around the recent spike in the number of coronavirus infections across Europe caused by more transmissible strains of the disease as the reason for their withdrawal from the remaining Pool B matches. The Executive Board of the Turkish club decided to avoid the trip to Perugia in an effort to protect the health of their players, technical staff and their families.
This decision leaves Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA, Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA and TOURS VB as the only teams due to take to the court next week in Perugia, where the Italian derby – a remake of last week’s national cup final won by Lube – is likely to decide the eventual pool winners.
JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel, on the other hand, confirmed on Thursday they would not travel to Kazan for the second round of matches in Pool C after two of their players tested positive for the novel coronavirus, resulting in the application of quarantine and self-isolation measures for another five players and all members of their coaching staff. This leaves the Polish team unable to field a team for the matches hosted next week by six-time Champions League winners Zenit KAZAN.
Earlier this season, JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel had started their #CLVolleyM journey in the early rounds, hosting and comfortably beating both Stroitel MINSK (BLR) and Draisma Dynamo APELDOORN (NED) in the 1st Round before edging C.S.M. Arcada GALATI of Romania in a winner-takes-all 2nd Round fixture. However, a previous outbreak of coronavirus cases within the Polish camp had prevented JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel from playing the first set of Pool C matches as well, contested back in early December in Berlin, Germany.
The Volleyball family wishes a speedy recovery to those who have contracted the virus and looks forward to welcoming back both Arkas IZMIR and JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel to international competition for the next edition of the European Cups.
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