14/12/2011 23:44
Budvanska Rivijera and TOURS VB need win to stay in contention for Playoffs ticket
2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Budva, Montenegro, December 15, 2011. Budvanska Rivijera BUDVA will try to remain in contention for the Playoffs 12 of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Men by possibly claiming a home win tonight over France’s TOURS VB. Only in this way the guys from Montenegro may keep some chances to make it through the Pool play of Europe’s most elitist competition.
“TOURS VB remains, in my opinion, France’s strongest team because of the consistency they have been showing in their results in the past few years. They even claimed the trophy of the Champions League some years ago, so that speaks for their professionalism and competitiveness” says home coach Veselin Vukovic. “They have displayed a couple of great performances in the previous rounds by beating ACH Volley and even by losing to PGE Skra BELCHATOW in Poland. My players are all fit and I believe in our chances to deliver a good performance tonight” he adds. “We shall also not forget that this is one of our last chances to make it to the Playoffs 12 or to be moved to the Challenge Round of the CEV Cup, so we need to take maximum points from this game. We have a good atmosphere in the group and are motivated, so I think all pre-conditions are there for a good result. Anyway, we have to play with consistency and avoid ups and downs if we want to beat high-quality teams as those starring in the Champions League” he concludes.
“TOURS VB has a good tradition in international competitions and their quality was already displayed in the previous rounds” says one of the most experienced players included in the roster of Budvanska Rivijera, Veljko Petkovic. “They have, as all French teams do, a well organized defense, so I expect a tough game that may probably last for 5 sets”.
“We have to serve well and repeat the good performance we delivered as we played ACH Volley LJUBLJANA” says Ivan Raic. “I think TOURS VB remains the favorite of this game but we can take it relaxed as we have nothing to lose. If we serve well and our block works, I think we can go for the victory” he adds. “TOURS VB has got very good players but I repeat our main weapon is the team spirit and team work”.
According to the head coach of TOURS VB, Mauricio Paes, both teams will feel a certain pressure as they need to get a positive result from this game. “Our opponents have lost both their previous games even though they played well in Ljubljana, but there it is very hard to win, because the Slovenian team is strong and they always have a terrific audience backing them up. We need to win this game in order to qualify for the Playoffs 12 but we also know that Budvanska Rivijera is a tough rival, especially at their home. Even though they are a well organized team, I still hope we can win tonight” concludes the Brazilian mentor.
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