11/02/2014 20:26
JASTRZEBSKI wins also second round of Polish derby to qualify to Final Four
2014 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Men
Rzeszow, Poland, February 11, 2014. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel is the first team that joins hosts Halkbank ANKARA in the Final Four Tournament of the 2014 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League. On Tuesday the guys in orange jerseys claimed also the second round of the Polish derby with Asseco Resovia RZESZOW (3:1; 27-25, 23-25, 26-24, and 26-24) and this way got the right to compete for Europe’s most desired trophy at the Final Four which is scheduled for March 22-23 in Turkey’s capital city. The players of JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel will try to improve on the fourth place they had to be content with in 2011 as the last act of Europe’s elite competition was held in Bolzano, Italy.
The score stayed very close halfway through the first set (16 all) before two points scored by Peter Veres propelled Resovia to the front (18:16). JASTRZEBSKI could even the score at 23 all and after a dramatic extra time the “orange” captain Michal Lasko sealed the final 27-25 for the guests from Upper Silesia.
Resovia paved the way with gold for their opponents in the early phases of the second set and due to their own mistakes the hosts quickly trailed 6:10; however, they still could storm back later on as they were powered by Veres and Jochen Schöps who showed a superb performance to restore the balance in sets (25-23).
Resovia got the feeling they still stood a chance to make the Final Four and showed good tempo also in the third set (13:8); however, some more mistakes helped JASTRZEBSKI fight their way back and level the score at 18 all. Lasko was absolutely outstanding down the final stretch and after cruising to the final 26-24 JASTRZEBSKI could already celebrate their qualification to the Final Four.
The fourth and last set was played by the second lines of both teams and even though they were no longer that motivated, still the guests of JASTRZEBSKI claimed also this set to seal a 3:1 away victory and crown a perfect night. Lasko top scored in the end for the winning side with 18 points while Jochen Schöps registered 21 for Resovia, still not enough to claim a ticket to the Finals.
“Congratulations to JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel; I wish them all the best for the Final Four” commented Resovia captain Aleh Akhrem. “The match was very close but our opponents were simply better than us tonight. We have to continue to work hard because the season is still far from being over.”
“We are very happy especially because tonight we showed our best performance. It was very important to play good because it is always very difficult to win here in Rzeszow” said Michal Lasko. “I hope we can show that same quality and keep our current shape also for the Finals in Ankara.”
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