25/01/2016 12:50
Belogorie BELGOROD determined to stay on top of Pool A
2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Men
Belgorod, Russia, January 25, 2016. On Tuesday, January 26 the Preliminary Round of the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Men will come to an end also in Pool A thereby determining who moves on to the Playoffs and remains in contention for Europe’s most coveted trophy. 2014 gold medallists Belogorie BELGOROD of Russia will finish their duties in the group by hosting the still winless Bulgarian champions Marek Union-Ivkoni DUPNITSA.
The team mentored by the former head coach of the Bulgarian national team Nayden Naydenov is the only one starring in Pool A who never celebrated a victory in this year’s edition of the Champions League. They managed to take just one set from Arkas IZMIR in Turkey and are currently at the bottom of the charts with zero points.
Belogorie BELGOROD, on the other hand, swept all their matches – with the only exception being the one they forfeited in early December in Turkey – and are on top of the charts. After their 3-1 victory in Berlin last week the Lions secured their spot in the Playoffs of Europe’s elite competition. Yet Gennady Shipulin’s squad is focussed on the upcoming battle to stay on top of the pool. Therefore it won’t be an easy walk for the guests from Bulgaria. And surely the home crowd will hope for yet another victory by their heroes.
The outcome of the match may be obvious. But Marek Union-Ivkoni DUPNITSA can play absolutely free from any pressure while the hosts will feel some more responsibility in front of their supporters. So on Tuesday night with the match starting at 7pm local time we will get to know who has the better nerves and who will be able to deliver the best performance.
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