14/03/2017 22:48
TOURS VB secure semi-final spot before rallying to tiebreak win over Czech sensation
2017 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Tours, France, March 14, 2017. On Tuesday night, TOURS VB became the first team to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the 2017 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men. They did so after taking two sets from their re-match with ČEZ KARLOVARSKO before rallying to a 3-2 victory (25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 15-13) in front of 2,500 fans.
As they are having a busy and tight schedule, TOURS VB looked determined to secure their progression to the semis as quickly as possible – and this is what they did by taking the first and second sets to follow up on their 3-0 away victory from two weeks ago in the Czech Republic. Even though the Czech visitors put up a fight, TOURS VB were the dominant force as their game was well orchestrated by setter and team captain Guillermo Hernan Ruperez.
After that, TOURS VB coach Giampaolo Medei decided to use some of his younger players – and Chris Zuidberg, Martin Masson, Antoine Fleury and Théo Conre all had the opportunity to get to feel what it means to play a European Cup match on this level. The Czechs, on the other hand, were able to show why they had made it this far in the competition and took the third and fourth sets even though they were out of contention for a spot in the semis. However, with the help of Philipp Collin, the only starting player to take to the court in the fifth set, the French youngsters were able to live up to the expectations of their many fans in attendance and ultimately won the tiebreak to celebrate a 3-2 victory.
As a result, TOURS VB – winners of the 2005 CEV Volleyball Champions League – made it to the semis of the CEV Cup to play there Germany’s United Volleys RHEINMAIN or Belgium’s Lindemans AALST.
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
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