04/01/2017 09:41
ANTWERP ready to take on Serbian champs in CEV Cup
2017 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Antwerp, Belgium, January 4, 2017. After edging Mladost Ribola KAŠTELA in the previous round of the competition, Belgium’s Topvolley Callant ANTWERP will be hosting this Thursday, January 5 Serbia’s Crvena Zvezda BEOGRAD for the first of two matches on schedule for the 16th Finals of the 2017 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men.
Only two weeks ago the Belgians played their last match in the European Cups and now it is already time to take on the reigning Serbian national champions who failed to make it to the group stage of the CEV Volleyball Champions League earlier this season.
“Last Wednesday we lost to Noliko MAASEIK in the semis of the Belgian national cup,” said head coach Alain Dardenne. “Of course this was quite a disappointment because we have been in the final of that competition for the last three years. On the other hand, it was never a close game because we played one of our worst matches this season so far. Unfortunately, it happened at a very important moment and in front of a home sell-out crowd.”
“The players had a short break after that and we resumed working on Tuesday, January 3,” Dardenne continued. “It was necessary because of some injuries. My players did not have to think about Volleyball for a few days and now they can start again with a clear mind.”
“Our home match with Crvena Zvezda will be an interesting one,” Dardenne added. “They are the national champions of their country and a strong team, especially when it comes to their attackers, so it won’t be an easy game. We will miss Simon Peeters who will be playing a qualifying tournament to the U21 World Championship later this week, so I have fewer opportunities to make substitutions. Still, with the support of our fans we will be fighting for a good result to get an edge ahead of the away match coming up in two weeks.”
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