Luxembourg, March 28, 2017.  As the 2017 CEV Volleyball Cup competitions entered their final furlong, the four teams remaining per gender each entered tonight's matches with absolute belief that they would be there when the medals are to be awarded early next month.  Following four 3-0 victories, two teams per gender will now be even more confident of reaching the final, while the others will go back to the drawing board before this weekends return matches.

2017 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men

TOURS VB vs United Volleys RHEINMAIN

TOURS VB took a big step towards securing their place in the final against a German rookie team by winning 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-21).  United Volleys RHEINMAIN have earnt themselves many admirers this season but in a hot atmosphere of 3,000 spectators at the Salle Robert Grenon the gold medal winners from the 2005 edition of the CEV Volleyball Champions League dominated.

The French sides Czech opposite player, David Konecny, took 17 points from the match and with it best scorer, but in truth the players from TOURS VB were stronger in most positions.

The home teams libero, Hubert Henno, said after the match: “To win at home like this in front of a great public, it is great.”

TRENTINO Diatec vs Fenerbahce SK ISTANBUL

The Italian giants of TRENTINO Diatec completed a 3-0 whitewash against the Turkish side of Fenerbahce SK ISTANBUL (25-15, 25-12, 25-23).  The first two sets were quite similar with the home team leading pretty much from start to finish, while the team from the Turkish metropolis did lead for a large percentage of the 3rd set, before TRENTINO came back to win once the scores reached the twenties.

2017 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women

Galatasaray ISTANBUL vs Dinamo KAZAN

Eleven blocks were a big part of the story in Galatasaray ISTANBUL beating Dinamo KAZAN 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-16).  On an individual basis, opposite Nadia Centoni for the home team was the best scorer of the team with 15 points, but a special mention also goes to the middle blockers who managed to halt the opposition attack on a regular basis.

After the match, Galatasaray ISTANBUL head coach Ataman Güneyligil commented: “I am very happy with the final result. However, I can not say that I am satisfied with the game that we played in the first set. We made too many mistakes for this level. We must maintain our tempo and should not make so many mistakes - especially in reception. The match in Kazan this weekend is going to be a lot harder. I want to thank all our fans who have came to the hall to support us tonight.”

Pomì CASALMAGGIORE vs Unet Yamamay BUSTO ARSIZIO

The current Champions League holders went down in three sets at home to their Italian rivals and now face an uphill battle if they are to win European silverware for a second year in a row.  Although each of the sets were fairly close (25-22, 25-20, 29-27), BUSTO ARSIZIO won the first two with relative comfort, before Pomi CASALMAGGIORE started to find some form in the third, before eventually going down again and leaving the away team with one foot in the final.

The return matches to decide the teams who will compete in the final of the two respective competitions take place this Saturday, April 1.

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