26/10/2011 22:44
Jihostroj causes major sensation by downing CUNEO in straight sets
2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Cuneo, Italy, October 26, 2011. The home debut in the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League turned into a disaster for Italy’s Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO as the guys mentored by Flavio Gulinelli were downed in straight sets by Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE after only 82 minutes of play (28-30, 20-25, 23-25). This is a major surprise for the guests as well who were happy to claim their first win in history in the Champions League.
Head coach Gulinelli started the match by opting for setter Nikola Grbic, Dominican José Miguel Caceres as opposite, captain Wout Wijsmans and Earvin Ngapeth as wing spikers, with Francesco Fortunato and Luigi Mastrangelo completing the starting six together with libero Hubert Henno. CUNEO got a good start (8:5) but the Czechs played with good intensity to draw level at 15 all. Venezuelan Andy Rojas played the drums for the guests claiming the first lead by the second mandatory stop (15:16) and standing out with a terrific 78% of efficiency in attack in this set. After missing three set balls, the Czechs could wrap it up at 28-30 for a surprising 0:1.
The second set unfolded with a similar plot with CUNEO moving up 8:5 and 15:12 before the guests clawed back for the 18 all. The Italians paved the way with gold for the Czechs with their many errors and a 4:0 break contributed the final 25-20 for CESKE BUDEJOVICE. Bre Banca did not show the strength necessary to turn things around in the third set and eventually surrendered for the final 0:3.
“I think we will analyze thoroughly this defeat and learn from our mistakes” stated Gulinelli at the end of the match. “We have to change our mental attitude to be able to win” he continued.
“This result is a great surprise for me and my team” commented Czech captain Michal Sukuba. “Taking into consideration the players included in the roster of CUNEO, we expected a very tough match tonight but I think we showed some character and we deserved to win this game”.
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