Golden Set win propels PORTO into #CEVChallengeCupW quarterfinals
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After playing two tiebreaks and a Golden Set, Portugal’s AJM FC PORTO qualified for the women’s CEV Challenge Cup quarterfinals at the expense of Romania’s Rapid BUCURESTI.
Rui Miguel Moreira“It was a tough win, I think we started the game very well, we came here to play against a very strong team with major investments and a larger budget compared to ours. We controlled the game from an emotional perspective and won the first two sets, after that we relaxed a little bit, and in the end, we had to play a fifth set and eventually the Golden one. I want to congratulate my players for their mentality, this win is all theirs.”
Head coach of AJM FC PORTO
A week ago, the team from Portugal had claimed a 3-2 home victory and after taking a two-set lead in the re-match in Romania’s capital city, they looked well placed to punch a ticket to the next round. However, the course of the match changed, as things improved for the Romanians and Rapid managed to turn the game around and win the next three sets, thus reaching the all-decisive Golden Set. The players from the Romanian capital city could not keep up with the opponents there though, as PORTO took command of the set and sealed the win (15-11) to play Serbia’s Jedinstvo STARA PAZOVA for a spot in the semis. Kyra Ciara Holt top scored for the winning side with a personal tally of 28 points.
Branko Gajic“I believe that we were not patient enough in the Golden Set, we considered ourselves qualified after the fifth set and we did not play as well and focused as we had done in the three sets that we won. We had a great chance to win, both mentally and physically. We managed a comeback, but it was not enough. We need more time, patience and to have more confidence in ourselves in the difficult moments.”
Head coach of Rapid BUCURESTI