Dresden, Germany, December 5, 2018. After a close 2-3 loss last week in Italy, DRESDNER SC were hoping for a little sensation in front of 2,300 spectators in their home game against Yamamay e-work BUSTO ARSIZIO, with a place in the 8th Finals of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Cup – Women at stake. However, the Italians did not leave any space for the hosts to impose their rule as they stormed to a 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-20) victory.

The first set was a tough battle, as both teams scored several points in a row and showed some great actions in attack but also their defence and block were supreme. In the end, Alessia Gennari scored the decisive point for the visitors from Italy. In the second set, Britt Herbots put some heavy pressure on the home team’s reception and BUSTO ARSIZIO could score four block points in a row to take a 13-7 lead. They stretched their advantage with a high percentage of success in attack before Beatrice Berti closed the set at 25-17. DRESDNER SC tried to disrupt the Italian rhythm by changing two players in their starting six, but from 10-8 on in the third set, the Italians did a solid job and in the end deserved the 3-0 win. Sara Bonifacio, who missed the home game, cashed the second match ball for the Italians.

Alexander Waibl, head coach of DRESDNER SC: “They reacted on what we showed in Italy and were very well prepared regarding our fast game with our middle blockers, so that today that was one element we almost could not use. After losing the first set, I had the impression that my team felt the tiring previous games we had, since we could not keep the energy level we would have needed to face that opponent eye-to-eye. All in all they are simply a better team than us, with more power in attack.”

Mareen von Römer (Apitz), captain of DRESDNER SC: “We had an 18-15 lead in the first set and we absolutely needed to win that one. The fact they had better reception than us is something that should not have happened. For sure we are disappointed.”

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