14/03/2012 20:55
Romanian ladies cause another sensation by routing Galatasaray
2012 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
Constanta, Romania, March 14, 2012. After edging twice Russia’s Dinamo KRASNODAR in the Challenge Round, the ladies of 2004 Tomis CONSTANTA caused another sensation tonight in the first semifinal match of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Cup as they downed Turkey’s Galatasaray ISTANBUL in straight sets (25-23, 25-23, 25-21) to compensate for the defeat that the guys of Tomis CONSTANTA had suffered earlier in the afternoon in the semis of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup. The return is scheduled for Sunday, March 18, at 8 pm.
Romanian captain Claudia Gavrilescu got injured right by the opening of the match but Tomis fought back helped by Jovana Vesovic going up 11:8 first and then 16:12 with a couple of aces. The home heroines looked confident (19:14) and played with great determination to go for the 1:0 (25-23).
Galatasaray caught a good start in the second set (8:5, 16:14) supported by Rosir Calderon and Sladjana Eric but Tomis completed a great comeback to finish it off for another 25-23 and the provisional 2:0. Belarusian Katsiaryna Zakreuskaya dominated the scene in set 3 while Calderon did commit many mistakes, so Tomis went speedily up 13:4 and 16:7 to eventually round out a perfect evening with a win in straight sets (25-21).
2004 Tomis CONSTANTA – which is participating in the European Cups only for the third time in history – is hence very close to advance to the final and to play there the winner of the Italian derby starring Yamamay BUSTO ARSIZIO and last year’s champions Robur Tiboni URBINO.
“Galatasaray was a tough opponent for us but after defeating Dinamo KRASNODAR twice, we wanted to go for more” says home coach Darko Zakoc. “They are a strong team but tonight we did take profit of their weaknesses. If we play with the same attitude and quality also on Sunday, I think we have good chances to make it to the final” he adds.
“They have two outstanding players, Lo Bianco and Calderon, but I also believe we have good chances to advance to the final” says Tomis setter Diana Neaga. “The matches in the European Cups are always very special and I hope we can cause another sensation by beating Galatasaray also on Sunday”.
“Galatasaray has got a roster that includes many experienced players who are playing also for their respective national teams. I think they are stronger than Dinamo because they have a great setter, Lo Bianco, but we will give our best also in the return match and we’ll see what comes there in Istanbul” concludes Bulgarian middle blocker Tsvetelina Zarkova.
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