26/10/2011 19:48
Second consecutive defeat for CAI TERUEL in Pool C
2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Teruel, Spain, October 26, 2011. After losing last week to triple champion TRENTINO PlanetWin365 of Italy, Spain’s CAI TERUEL suffered a second defeat tonight in the prelims of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League, this time being downed 1:3 (22-25, 16-25, 28-26, 24-26) by the current leader of the Polish national league, Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE.
The guests opened strongly (4:8) while the reception of CAI TERUEL did not work well; however, the score stayed tight up to mid of the opening set with a deuce at 14 all before the home side could move up 16:15. However, Zaksa did not slow down the pace and via excellent serving got a small margin to be maintained until the end (22-25).
Equality was the refrain also for the start of the second set but after the first technical time-out Zaksa changed gear and CAI TERUEL appeared a much weaker side than the team that last week had played bravely against TRENTINO. The reception was a way too shaky and their serving did not cause any problem to the opponent that eventually went for a comfortable 16-25.
CAI TERUEL trailed down for most of the third set (13:16) but eventually stormed back for the 19 all as the public got frenzied for an exciting and dramatic final rush where the home guys ultimately came out on top stretching the match to a fourth set (28-26).
CAI TERUEL started there by claiming a lead of 3 points but Zaksa got back on track (6:8, 12:16) before the difference was reduced to a minimum as the money time was approaching. After missing a first opportunity to close the match, Zaksa did not waste a second chance and wrapped it up at 24-26 for the final 1:3.
“It was a bitter end for us” commented head coach Oscar Novillo, “because by losing 1:3 we did not take home any point”.
“We played very well in the first two sets but then CAI TERUEL made it more difficult for us in set 3 and 4” commented the mentor of Zaksa, Krzysztof Stelmach.
Top scorers tonight were James Webber for CAI TERUEL with 24 points and Patryk Czarnowski for Zaksa with 19.
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