Calcit KAMNIK gears up for home matchup with Polish powerhouse
News
In a highly anticipated Challenge Cup matchup, the journey of Slovenia’s Calcit KAMNIK in this year’s competition faces a significant hurdle as they go head-to-head with Projekt WARSZAWA of Poland. Despite a successful start to the season with eight wins in the domestic league, two victories in the Challenge Cup preliminary round, and two in the MEVZA League, Calcit suffered their first setback against Triglav in Kranj last Saturday.
The defeat raised questions about the team’s form and cohesion, especially compared to their earlier standout performance against ACH Volley LJUBLJANA. Mladen Kašić, the coach of Calcit acknowledged the dip in their play but remains optimistic about regaining their momentum. “It is clear that we are facing a top-notch team in Projekt WARSZAWA. We need to rediscover the unity that defined our play earlier in the season,” he stated.
On the other side, Projekt WARSZAWA comes into the Challenge Cup clash undefeated, leading the PlusLiga and maintaining their strong form. The Polish team, bolstered by key additions including Serbian middle blocker Srećko Lisinac and American middle blocker Taylor Averill, presents a formidable challenge. The squad, led by coach Piotr Graban, boasts a mix of international talents, including French representative Kévin Tillie and German opposite Linus Weber.
Despite the recent setback against Triglav, Calcit remains confident as they prepare to face the Polish powerhouse. Uroš Pavlović, the team captain, emphasised the need to analyse Projekt WARSZAWA thoroughly but highlighted the potential for surprises in their unique home arena:
Uros Pavlović“Our defeat in Kranj has only fuelled our motivation. If our serves and blocks click as they did before, we can be a threat. The first game is at home, and we are ready to embrace any surprises."
While acknowledging the challenge posed by Projekt WARSZAWA, Calcit aims to showcase their best Volleyball and bounce back from the recent defeat. The home advantage in the first leg this Wednesday, November 22, at 20:00 provides an opportunity for Calcit to make a statement and to demonstrate their resilience in the face of tough competition.