06/12/2016 16:55
Benfica LISBOA vie for more glory in Challenge Cup
2017 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men
Lisbon, Portugal, December 6, 2016. Portugal’s Benfica LISBOA are waiting with much excitement and anticipation for their debut in the 2017 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men. The ‘Eagles’ are hosting Switzerland’s Biogas Volley NÄFELS on Wednesday night to start their European campaign on home soil.
Speaking to Benfica TV, middle blocker Flavio Soares, aka Zelão, said: “We are feeling good right now. We are back on the European stage, will be playing Volleyball at the highest level again and we are getting used to having a full house with plenty of fans supporting us. We start this competition hoping to seize the crown but we are going to take it one match at a time.”
Head coach José Jardim agreed with one of his star players: “Once again we are participating in a competition where Benfica has shown great performances and achieved excellent results in the past. We know that we will be playing against a young, dynamic team, which is good especially at defence, and they always keep the ball in play. To the most loyal supporters who came to watch our matches last year I can say that this season our roster is more balanced than it was in the past. I am expecting a tough match, a real Volleyball show and a victory for Benfica. We want to provide our fans with something to cheer about.”
Last year Benfica made it to the semis of the Challenge Cup losing to eventual winners Calzedonia VERONA of Italy. The year before they reached the final, losing to Serbia’s Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD.
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