Club Volleyball

Halkbank and NARBONNE to contest #CEVChallengeCupM final

News

Article Wed, Mar 2 2022

Halkbank ANKARA (Turkey) and NARBONNE Volley (France) have reached the final stage of the men’s CEV Challenge Cup.

The players of Halkbank celebrate their victory over Panathinaikos

Halkbank easily punched their ticket to the final as they claimed the first two sets from their re-match with Panathinaikos AC ATHENS and that was enough to seal their spot in the last stage of the competition. The team from Turkey’s capital eventually recorded a 3-2 victory in Athens to keep their perfect record in this year’s Challenge Cup.

“Thanks to all the Panathinaikos fans; they were amazing even when we lost the first two sets. A big thank you to the crowd because they stayed until the end. We tried our best, but Halkbank is a very good team, with strong and experienced players. We did our best and now we keep on going to achieve the rest of our goals, i.e. winning the championship and the national cup.”

Axel Jacobsen
Setter of Panathinaikos

“We are happy to make it to the finals. The atmosphere today was amazing. All this experience was magical and that’s why I applauded at the Panathinaikos fans after the game.”

Fernando Hernandez Ramos
Player of Halkbank
European Cups rookies NARBONNE Volley have reached the final at their first attempt

NARBONNE Volley reached the final in a very contrasting fashion. The French team needed a Golden Set to edge MEVZA League winners ACH Volley LJUBLJANA of Slovenia. NARBONNE had secured a 3-2 away victory last week but lost the re-match at home by the same score. They eventually pipped their opponents 15-13 at the Golden Set – with much help coming from their Brazilian opposite Rafael Rodrigues de Araujo, who scored as many as 30 points. The achievement of NARBONNE Volley is especially remarkable since they have reached the final in what is their very first appearance in any European competition.

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