GENK and TJ OSTRAVA claim first round of 16th Finals fixtures in contrasting fashion
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Action continues in the #CEVChallengeCupW – with two teams claiming their respective first 16th Finals matches in contrasting fashion, as Jaraco LVL GENK routed their compatriots of Hermes Rekkenshop OOSTENDE in straight sets, while TJ OSTRAVA emerged victorious from a tiebreak battle with Panathinaikos AC ATHENS. The eventual winners of these double headers will be locking horns in the 8th Finals of the competition.
In a highly anticipated Belgian derby, Jaraco LVL GENK showed no mercy for their compatriots of Hermes Rekkenshop OOSTENDE – with the team from the Belgian seaside resort making this year their 24th appearance in the European Cups. Earlier in the competition, OOSTENDE had edged SLIEDRECHT Sport of the Netherlands – but on Wednesday night, they lost 0-3 to their rivals from Limburg. The first set was actually very close with OOSTENDE failing to capitalise on two set balls at 24-22. After a time-out, GENK scored four times in a row to win the opening set. The visitors claimed an early advantage in the second (5-2, 9-4) before Charlotte Leys almost helped Hermes tie the score at 11-12. However, GENK broke away again and Sofie Hawinkel doubled their lead in the match (25-19). Hermes fought their way back in the third set to try to stay in contention (from 11-14 to 14-all), but GENK made a break to lead 20-15, which paved the way to their 25-18 and 3-0 victory.
Merle Baasdam top scored with 18 points for Hermes, as Laura Meynckens and Kirsten Bröring registered 14 apiece for the winners. The return match will be taking place next week in Genk – where the hosts will need to take two sets to secure their spot in the 8th Finals.
Zdeněk Pommer“It was an amazing game in front of amazing fans. We played good defence in the end of the first two sets. After that, we lost our concentration a bit, put less pressure with our serve and the opponent improved significantly in defence. In the tiebreak, it was our turn to shine. Next week we are going there to fight for every ball.”
Head coach of TJ OSTRAVA
Two weeks ago, TJ OSTRAVA regrouped after a 2-3 loss away from home to rout Kanti SCHAFFHAUSEN 3-0 and advance to the 16th Finals. On Wednesday, they re-started their journey with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Panathinaikos AC ATHENS of Greece – a team whose roster includes Dutch star Maret Grothues and another three elite foreigners. The players of TJ OSTRAVA did not seem too bothered by the names standing on the other side of the net and eventually secured a 3-2 victory – which bodes well ahead of the re-match next week.
Andrea Štrbová, captain of TJ OSTRAVA: “We expected a long and close battle and that proved to be true. I am very happy with the victory, although it is a shame we could not take the three points. It will be another battle next week. I would especially like to thank the fans for their amazing support.”
Evangelia Chantava, captain of Panathinaikos: “The opponent pressured us with their serve in the first two sets – and this helped them win both. We were able to improve our reception and service game in the following two sets – which allowed us to put pressure on the home team and to tie the game. In the tiebreak, they managed to get the first few points and we were not able to get out of that hole. I think TJ OSTRAVA was better and deserved to win. We are really looking forward to the second leg and I firmly believe we will be able to turn this around.”
“First of all, I want to congratulate TJ OSTRAVA on the win. We did not perform well with our serve and block in the first two sets. In the next two sets, we made some changes and improved significantly our serve and defence to win these sets quite easily. In the last set, the deciding factor again was the calmness and mental toughness of TJ OSTRAVA. It was a great game and if we improve some details, we can go through to the next round.”
Head coach of Panathinaikos AC ATHENS
Elsewhere, KAZANLAK Volley of Bulgaria crowned their maiden appearance in the European Cups with a comprehensive 3-0 victory (25-21, 25-21, 25-22) in their home match with Slovakia’s VP UKF NITRA. Next week in Slovakia, KAZANLAK will need to take two sets to get the right to play CD das AVES Termolan or RC CANNES in the 8th Finals. The opposite of the home side, Selin Salim top scored with 15 points (including three blocks and one ace). Middle blocker Maria Krivoshiiska scored nine times. Vanessa Thais de Oliveira Silva stood out with 14 points for the visitors.
Kristina Yordanova, captain of KAZANLAK Volley: “The match was hard and we are very happy with the victory. This was our first match in the CEV European Cups. I want to thank the people who supported us during the match. The atmosphere was great. It is special for us to play in an arena full of spectators. The rematch will be very difficult, we should remain very concentrated and if we do so, I think we will advance to the 8th Finals.”
Alina Atanasova, setter of the Bulgarian team: “We are really happy but our work is not done yet. We have a very important rematch ahead of us.”
Atanas Petrov, head coach of KAZANLAK Volley: “I am proud of my team. We managed to play extremely good. The girls followed the tactical instructions and we managed to win.”
“I think these girls from the Bulgarian team are very good players. We gave our best. For sure, we gained a lot of experience from this match. I am proud of my team. We are looking forward to the rematch next week,” said the captain of VP UKF NITRA, Bianka Bodnarova.