19/01/2017 22:45
3-0 win away from home for Maccabi TEL-AVIV in 1st Leg
2017 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup - Men
Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, January 19, 2017. Maccabi TEL-AVIV took a 3-0 win away from home in the first leg against Czech opposition Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE (25-23, 25-23, 28-26) with a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2017 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men at stake.
Jihostroj played this match without one of their best players and opposite Sebastian Gevert, who was injured. His position was taken by American player Colin Hackworth and he did a good job during the first set. However Maccabi led from the beginning of the set and they didn’t allow the home team back into it. Jihostroj tried as much as they could and drew the score level at 22-22 but then made two unforced errors and it was kind of easy to end first set for Maccabi, winning it 25-23.
The second set was a fight point by point. Jihostroj kept with the travelling team until 16-16 after which Maccabi scored an ace and home spiker Petr Michálek made a technical error by touching the net. The home team did not give up and fought till the last ball of the set which ended exactly the same as the first one. Even though Jihostroj improved their service and blocked many of the opponent’s attacks, Maccabi confidently won the second set 25-23 as well.
It was a completely different picture in the third set. Filip Habr, setter of Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE, was replaced by 20-year-old Kristián Červinka and he brought calm to the home team’s play. Jihostroj led 15-10 but Maccabi showed how strong they are and fought for every ball. The end of the set was very dramatic and Maccabi deservedly won it 28-26 and 3-0.
Radek Mach, middle blocker of Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE said: “We were well prepared for their Brazilian setter, it’s a pity we didn’t win any set. We will fight in Israel in the away match.”
Zohar Bar Netzer, coach of Maccabi TEL-AVIV said: “I am surprised that the match ended 3-0 for us. We know that Jihostroj’s opposite is injured but it was still a tough match. I am proud of my players.”
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
|