20/01/2016 23:22
AS CANNES claim home victory over Spanish champions in CEV Cup quarter-finals
2016 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Cannes, France, January 20, 2016. On Wednesday night hosts AS CANNES claimed the first round of their 2016 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men quarter-final clash with Spain’s CAI TERUEL by cruising to a 3-1 home win (25-22, 25-19, 27-29, 25-18), waiting now for the return match to follow next week.
AS CANNES played this match without one of their starting middle blockers who had surgery last Wednesday after rupturing his Achilles tendon. Nikola Antonjievic joined the actions and AS CANNES had to stand a very strong start by their Spanish opponents who claimed an early 6-1 lead in the first set. Though the Spaniards continued to put pressure on the hosts, the home guys mentored by Igor Kolakovic found their way into the match and drew level at 14-all. Their team effort eventually paid dividends with AS CANNES edging ahead at 19-16 before the hosts took the opening set by 25-22 on a terrific attack by their opposite Dusan Petkovic.
The Spaniards dug deep in an effort to storm back but AS CANNES remained focussed and well anchored by their team captain and setter Pierre Pujol, the hosts won also the second set, this time by a more comfortable margin (25-19).
The third set saw CAI TERUEL impose their pace from the early stages and after leading 16-12 at the second technical time-out, they were able to hold on to their advantage and despite a late comeback by AS CANNES, the visitors had the upper hand at 29-27.
AS CANNES got things back under their control in the fourth set which they easily claimed by 25-18 to seal their 3-1 home win and wait for the return match which is due to follow next Wednesday, January 27, in Spain.
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