BRAGA overpower HARO and take first-leg control

Sporting Clube de BRAGA took an important step in the 16th Finals of the women’s Challenge Cup after defeating hosts Ocisa HARO Rioja 3-1. Except for the second set, the home side found it very difficult to match the pace imposed by the Portuguese team, who were superior for most of the game. 

The opening set was clearly dominated by BRAGA. The visitors controlled proceedings thanks to the powerful attacks of Beatriz Santos, Margarida Maia and Dayana Hernandez, against a home side that struggled with their serve, with the lone exception of an ace by Ainara Burgo to make it 6-10. The Portuguese side looked more solid in all areas, both in attack and defence. Although Mariangel Vivas kept the home team in the game to some extent, a direct serve extended the gap to 10-19, before a run finished off by Dayana, a block on Gritzbach and a net touch sealed the set with a convincing 25-13 for the Portuguese side. 

The second set began with a more spirited HARO side, driven by the crowd and the spikes of Vivas (3-1), but BRAGA quickly reacted and regained control. A block (3-6) forced home coach Maria Esther López to call a timeout. This time the home response was strong and, with offensive contributions from Florencia Giglio and Sara Folgueira plus errors from BRAGA, the Rioja side moved ahead (11-9), prompting João Santos to stop play. HARO maintained their best version and opened up a seven-point lead (17-10). However, BRAGA refused to give in and, taking advantage of local mistakes and the good work of Margarida, closed the gap dangerously (22-20). Two actions by Folgueira left the set almost decided, but BRAGA pushed back to 24-23. Ultimately, a powerful spike by Vivas secured the set for the home side (25-23).

In the third set, BRAGA’s tempo once again prevailed, as they opened proceedings with a dominant run (2-9). Although Vivas and Giglio tried to keep HARO alive (7-15), the visitors’ superiority was clear. A point by Santos and an error by Giglio left the set virtually decided (14-22). The home team managed to narrow the margin slightly, but Thainalien Castillo closed the set with a decisive spike (16-25), making it 1-2 overall.

The fourth and final set started evenly, but HARO, spurred on by the 600 spectators at El Ferial, managed to take the lead thanks to the attacking work of Giglio and Vivas. The home side even built a four-point advantage, but BRAGA responded effectively. Spikes from Margarida and Castillo, along with some local errors, put the Portuguese side back in front (15-16). Their serve continued to cause problems and HARO’s lack of precision in reception undermined their chances. Although Gritzbach reduced the deficit in the closing stages (20-23), Margarida sealed the match with the final point at 21-25, leaving the tie very much in favour of the Portuguese team after their 1-3 away victory ahead of the re-match in Braga.