21/11/2012 23:15
Happy end for VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN after nail-biting tie-break
2013 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Men
Friedrichshafen, Germany, November 21, 2012. VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN claimed its second win in the prelims of the 2013 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Men by edging Knack ROESELARE of Belgium with the score of 3:2 (15-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-22, and 16-14) at the end of an epic battle to keep alive its chances to progress from Pool A to the next stage of the competition.
With a series of fast plays by both teams, Knack ROESELARE started with high energies to set the pace, insisting with tough serves and imposing its supremacy with fast attacks that the local guys could not defend (15-25). The second set started again in favor of the guests as errors in reception were making things impossible for the Germans and by the second technical time out (6:16) VfB was quite evidently struggling. Coach Stelian Moculescu brought in young star Yannick Harms for attacker Idi and with a few consecutive points the Germans seemed to get back on track, provoking a few adjustments by Belgian coach Emile Rousseaux. However, Knack was in for the mission, eventually taking the win at 20-25.
The third set started good for VfB, with some improvements for the local team. Knack was still fighting to take home the win but the Germans were not going to make it that easy. VfB controlled the net with some outstanding blocks that turned the tables around. The locals were ready to fight and could take the third set 25-18. For the fourth FRIEDRICHSHAFEN strut the pace and started playing their game by the first technical time-out (8:6). The Germans stayed focused up to the end and evened out the score to force a fifth set. In the tie-breaker, both teams fought to dominate. The home side took the lead first and was running with it. A forced time-out was called by VfB coach Stelian Moculescu at 11:11 and once again at 14:14 before his guys could finish strong for the joy of their fans (16-14).
“In the first and second set we weren’t in the game, but after Yannick Harms came in the match changed, he stabilized the reception. That was the key for our win today” VfB coach Stelian Moculescu said. Knack mentor Emile Rousseaux: “It’s a pity that you have to put an 18-year old guy in the game to win. After the second set we lost our focus and our opponents took over the game”.
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