12/12/2014 00:56
Galatasaray make first step forward on their way to CEV Cup quarter-finals
2015 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women
Istanbul, Turkey, December 11, 2014. Turkey’s Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL continued with their strategy of taking it ‘step by step’ and eventually got another victory in their campaign in the 2015 edition of the CEV Volleyball Cup – Women. As they were playing Olympiacos PIRAEUS of Greece on Thursday night for the first match on schedule for the 8th finals of the competition, they scored a 3:1 home victory (23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-22) at Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall to make a step forward on their way to the quarter-finals.
Actually Galatasaray had to stand the challenge brought by Olympiacos especially in the first set where the Greek champions served really well and pressured the hosts who could not organise their attack with the usual quality and consistency. This way Olympiacos won the first set by 23-25. Halfway through the second set Galatasaray changed gear, got back full control of the game and eventually tied the score bringing that section of the game to a close at 25-22. The Turks then imposed their rule in the third set (25-16) and did the same also in the fourth sealing their 3:1 home victory (25-22).
Though happy with the result, the head coach of Galatasaray Daikin, Massimo Barbolini, did not underestimate the risks resulting from the away match in Greece: “I am definitely happy with the final result. Olympiacos is a good team and they played really well, especially in defence. It was not an easy game and it is going to be even harder next week in Athens.”
Floortje Meijners, who is spending her first season with the Turkish club, commented: “It was a difficult match. Olympiacos is a strong team and secondly it was the first time we played that opponent. The return match in Athens will be even harder for us as they will be playing at home and therefore before their own fans. However, after reviewing today’s match and the things we struggled with, I am confident that we will get things sorted and in the end we will progress to the next round.”
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