LAS PALMAS handed home loss in #CEVCupW 16th Finals

Although the 3-1 result might suggest otherwise, CD Heidelberg LAS PALMAS came very close to springing an upset and winning the first leg of the women’s CEV Cup Round of 32 against C.S.O. VOLUNTARI 2005, league runners-up and reigning Romanian Super Cup champions.

The match began with a clear Romanian dominance, forcing Santiago Guerra to call a timeout with his team trailing 4-9. The Canary Islanders were unable to stop the Romanian side which, powered by Dutch opposite Nicole van de Vosse, took the first set 25-21. 

There was a spectacular reaction from Guerra’s team in the second set as the hosts, under the skilled direction of Patricia Aranda, managed to impose their game and controlled the set from start to finish, winning it 25-23.

Things once again became difficult for Heidelberg in the third set, and the home coach had to stop the action very early with the score standing at 9-4 for their rivals. Strong reception from the Gran Canaria side and great variety in their attacking play allowed the locals to turn the score around and move ahead 18-15, thus giving hope of success to the home fans. However, the Romanians responded and, once again relying on the power of their opposite’s attacks, overturned the score and took the third set 25-21.

The fourth set was extremely tight. The crowd was pushing from the stands and the team responded on court, allowing LAS PALMAS to reach the end of the set with a clear chance to force a tie-break. With the home side leading 24-22, the greater composure – and perhaps experience in this type of situation – of C.S.O. VOLUNTARI 2005 allowed them to level the score and eventually close out the match at 27-25. 

The fans, the players and coaching staff left the Miguel Solaesa arena with the feeling that the result could have been different, but with the hope of fighting to reach the 8th Finals in the return leg in Romania next Tuesday, December 2.