10/02/2014 08:53
Olympiacos relies on home advantage to edge past Russian rookie Guberniya
2014 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Piraeus, Greece, February 10, 2014. The last time Olympiacos played a semi-final of the European Cups dates back to nine years ago: in 2005 Olympiacos organised the Final Four Tournament of the Top Teams Cup and won their second European trophy beating Orte Nesselande ROTTERDAM in the final match.
Since those days many things have changed for volleyball in Greece but Olympiacos still remains the most competitive team from this country and its best ambassador in Europe.
On Wednesday Olympiacos will be trying to make the semis of the 2014 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men hosting Russia’s rookie Guberniya NIZHNIY NOVGOROD. Last week the Russian side coached by Bulgarian-born Plamen Konstantinov won the first round in straight sets, so this means that Olympiacos will have to seize the night by 3:0 or 3:1 to call for the golden set.
“This game with Guberniya is a challenge for the players, the fans and everyone who is close to our team” the head coach of Olympiacos, Dimitris Kazazis says. “We could have achieved a better result last week in Russia but this means that now we have to play our best to stand a chance to make the semis. We need to find more options in attack and of course we will also rely on the support of our fans. We have to stand a very strong rival who – after last week’s first round – is the clear favourite to progress to the semis.”
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