Luxembourg, February 3, 2021. All predictions have been confirmed. Turkish teams of VakifBank ISTANBUL and Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL confirmed the supremacy in their respective Pool C and Pool D. Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA came through in four sets against VK UP OLOMOUC maintaining the lead on Grupa Azoty Chemik POLICE in Pool E. Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI have made sure they will finish first in Pool A regardless of Thursday's results following their three-point victory over SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN.
Pool A
Today’s match was full of excitement. Both Developres SkyRes RZESZÓW and Unet e-work BUSTO ARSIZIO were not only enthusiastic but also very eager to win the game. Unet e-work BUSTO ARSIZIO is the one who managed to leave the venue with a well-deserved victory even though both of the teams showed their technical skills with some great saves and great rallies in this hotly contested match. Thanks to Jordyn Poulter from Unet e-work BUSTO ARSIZIO’s amazing performance as well as her teammates Alexa Lea Gray and Jovana Stevanovic, the result was in the favour of the Italian team.
Developres SkyRes RZESZÓW had tried its best to take control over the game during the first and second sets but it was too late to come back in the third and the last set.
Next was a big match up for both SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN and Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI. The players and coach of the German team were fully aware of the fact that their job would be tough. Femke Stoltenborg from SSC Palmberg SCHWERIN expressed her opinions about the match: ’We tried to play on our best level against such a strong opponent. It seemed like every point SCANDICCI scored was an easy one, ours seemed very hard work and didn‘t go that smoothly."
Scandicci's win means they have booked their ticket into the top 8 of Europe's premiere club competition before their final match of the 4th Round.
Pool C
VakifBank Istanbul extended their winning streak on Wednesday in the Pool C of the CEV Champions League Volley - 2021, earning their fifth victory and a coveted ticket to the quartefinals. Giovanni Guidetti's squad defeated ASPTT Mulhouse VB in straight sets. The perfect record of five wins and 15 points has already guaranteed them a victory in the pool standings and the right to continue their quest for a fifth Champions League crown.
The emotions ran high during the second encounter at Łódź Sport Arena in Poland. The game between ŁKS Commercecon LODZ and VC Maritza PLOVDIV was a fierce battle full of turnovers that eventually ended with a 3-1 win for the hosts. Thus, the club from Łódź stay in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals. On Thursday, they will play a decisive battle against ASPTT Mulhouse with the second place in the Pool C at stake whereas unbeaten VakifBank ISTANBUL will face still winless VC Maritza PLOVDIV.
Pool D
The 2015 champions have booked their tickets to the quarterfinals. Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL managed to win their fifth straight match and have secured top spot in Pool D. Lokomotiv KALININGRAD Region fought like lions, but they weren’t able to shake the Tigers. Up until now the second tournament is a copy of the first for Eczacibasi, beating STUTTGART in five set and KALININGRAD 3-0. Earlier on Wednesday Dinamo MOSCOW beat Allianz MTV STUTTGART. With their second straight set win of the tournament Dinamo MOSCOW have kept their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive. Allianz MTV STUTTGART didn’t have the power to pass the Dinamo block and some fierce defending on the Russian side of the net handed them opportunities in transition, resulting in a clean victory. Thursday will be the biggest day for Dinamo when they face Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL. A win against the Turkish team might just secure them a spot in next week’s drawing of lots for the quarterfinals.
Pool E
The Italian powerhouse of Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA claimed yet another victory in the #CLVolleyW tournament taking place in Police. On Wednesday, they outclassed at 3-1 the team of VK UP OLOMOUC. Despite the loss, the Czech players had their chances to turn things around especially after emerging victorious in the second set. The Italians, however, showed better skills and fighting spirit in the decisive moments, and even though they lacked concentration from time to time, were able to get the best out of the situation and remain in first place in the current standing in the pool.
Grupa Azoty Chemik POLICE continue on the winning path in Pool E as on Wednesday they outclassed at 3-0 the strong team of Dinamo-Ak Bars KAZAN. In a match that lasted 81 minutes, the Polish players showed better winners' mentality, and stayed concentrated in the difficult moments. However, the Russian side also had their good moments, especially in the first set when they had a comeback, and almost had the upper hand.
On the closing day of the Police 'bubble, the host team will challenge pool leaders Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA for a spot in the next phase. Currently, the Italians have five wins and 14 points, while Grupa Azoty are second-placed with four victories and 13 points.