Friedrichshafen, Germany, February 11, 2015. Germany’s VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN was outwitted at home by Polish champion Asseco Resovia RZESZOW by 2:3 (25-19, 24-26, 25-20, 17-25, 15-17) in a closely-fought first-leg Playoffs 12 match of the 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Men.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN went into the match with the well-known starting seven as from the league round. The first points were dominated by serving mistakes of the Polish visitors. Head coach Andrzej Kowal called an early time-out for his team at 5-10, but FRIEDRICHSHAFEN kept its own rhythm for 14-10. With variable attacks they got Asseco Resovia’s defence in trouble and the 2,200 spectators at ZF Arena celebrated some big blocks for 16.12 and 20-16. With an ace by Adrian Radu Gontariu, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN finished the set at 25-19.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN came out strong in the second set as well, and Resovia called its first time-out at 1-4. But the Haefler were not impressed and followed their way of success in great team spirit. Some mistakes by FRIEDRICHSHAFEN gave the opponents chances to score and narrow their lag to 8-9, but VfB came back with two big blocks for 12-9 and 16-12. Resovia did not give up and with a big pressure from their serves they stroke the balance at 18-18 and for the first time took over the leadership at 22-21. A block by Nicholas Vogel called the first chance to finish the set, but once again Resovia fought back and took the set by 26-24.
After a four point-lead for FRIEDRICHSHAFEN at 8-4, the visitors tried to come back, but VfB showed a better team performance, its players helped each other and found the better solutions against the Polish team – 17-12, 21-15. Resovia made a lot of mistakes so FRIEDRICHSHAFEN just had to stay concentrated for the eventual 25-20.
For the first time in the match Resovia found the better start in set four - 8-4. FRIEDRICHSHAFEN was not able to keep the high level and cramped to a 5-10 deficit. After 9-14, head coach Stelian Moculescu called time-out, but Resovia did not get nervous pushing forward to win the set by 25-17.
With Baptiste Geiler's ace, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN started the tie-breaker well and forced a high pace towards a 3-0 lead. Resovia managed to balance it out at 10-10 and a big battle evolved into overtime before the Polish team emerged victorious at 17-15.
“It was a spectacular match,” said VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN’s mentor Stelian Moculescu. “We showed a really good performance today and I am proud of my team. I am optimistic for next week. If we put on a similar effort, it will not be easy for Resovia at home.”
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