06/12/2017 20:35
SWD powervolleys DÜREN take first game in straight sets
2018 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Düren, Germany, December 6, 2017. Germany’s SWD powervolleys DÜREN delivered a very strong performance in front of their home crowd to claim a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) in the first round of their 16th Finals fixture with Abiant GRONINGEN to catch the best possible start to their campaign in the 2018 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men before some 1,400 spectators in the Arena Kreis Düren.
As a result, the SWD powervolleys have to take two more sets in the rematch scheduled for December 21 to make it to the next round. The first set was close, and GRONINGEN had chances to claim the first set point. However, the hosts eventually got away with it. “This is Volleyball,” powervolleys coach Stefan Falter said afterwards. “First we had a bit of luck on our side, and then we used the chance we got to finish the set.”
After that, the course of the game changed. DÜREN found a better way to control the opponent’s attacks with block and defence. “We did really well then,” coach Falter said. “The level of concentration and fun was high.” This happened especially after the home side started to dominate with their block. Tim Broshog and Romans Sauss moved the score to 16-11 with four massive blocks in a row. “It is hard to come back from that,” Abiant team captain Wytze Kooistra said.
Although the Dutch visitors were able to come back in the third set, the powervolleys stayed in control. “We made several mistakes, and they did not. That is why they deserved this win,” Kooistra said. To surrender is no option for the leading team in the Dutch league. “The rematch is in front of our home fans. DÜREN is a tough opponent but still we will give all we have to offer. This is not over.”
German coach Stefan Falter agreed. “We have to repeat what we did tonight and perhaps play a bit better. It will be an exciting match in Groningen.”
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