Sporting CP make up for away loss to secure spot in #CEVChallengeCupM quarterfinals

Sporting CP LISBOA have made it to the quarterfinals of the men’s CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023 after claiming a 3-1 home victory in their re-match with Spain’s European Cups rookies CV MELILLA to make up for their 2-3 loss at the hands of the same team last week in the Spanish enclave. José Israel Masso Alvarez top scored for Sporting with 23 points, as Jean Pascal Diedhiou recorded 13 for CV MELILLA in their losing effort. The Spaniards failed to capitalise on a set point at the end of the first set and that was the turning point of the match.

Sporting CP were especially impressive in the fourth set (25-17) where they sealed their 3-1 victory and seized their ticket to the next round of the competition. Many players from Sporting CP’s youth teams were in the stands, thus contributing to the provision of a great atmosphere for the home favourites to thrive in.

Thiago Gelinski, player of Sporting CP: “It was very good to see so many young players in the stands. We are among the eight best teams in this competition, and we won against a good team who is currently ranked second in the Spanish national league. It was not an easy game.”

Juan Martin Riganti, player of CV MELILLA: “The first set was very tight. The second went to Sporting CP and the third to us. In the fourth, everything was decided early on, and they got good serves and counterattacks. We knew they had high-class players. We fought and did our job well, but they were better.”