VfB SUHL storms into CEV Challenge Cup semis
News
The players of VfB SUHL Thüringen fulfilled their dreams, winning the away match in the Czech Republic against VK PROSTEJOV 3-1 after 101 minutes to progress to the women’s CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023 semis in their first appearance in any international competition in 11 years.
Starting with a huge advantage from last week’s home victory (3-1), the team from Hungarian head coach Laszlo Hollosy took the challenge in Prostejov more than seriously, being warned
by VK PROSTEJOV’s big comeback against Avarca de MENORCA in the 8th Finals, where the Czechs used the home-court advantage to win the return match and subsequent Golden Set.
Nevertheless, Germany’s only participant in the competition showed a focused performance from the first serve of the match. After a phase of consistent side-outs from both teams, SUHL forced a decision even before crunch time by crucial spike power on the wings. Knowing they ‘only’ needed to take one more set to reach the next round, VfB SUHL dominated at the net, and it took only 22 minutes to double their lead in the match and celebrate with some 40 fans who had travelled to Prostejov their qualification for the Challenge Cup semis. After losing the third set, SUHL won the fourth and will now face Reale Mutua Fenera CHIERI from Italy in the semis.
The Czech outside hitter of VfB SUHL Thüringen Eva Hodanova is happy with the solid away
performance:
“We did not expect an easy match, because we knew that PROSTEJOV can be strong at home. It was very important to win the first set. We served good and could stop the main attackers of their team. Thanks to our fans, we had also great support from the tribunes and that could help us in the key moments of the game.”
Head coach Laszlo Hollosy added: “We are extremely proud of this result. Thanks to our sponsors and fans, who have been always behind us on this journey through Europe. We know we are not the favourite in the next round, so we do not have any pressure on us, but we are professional athletes, and we want to show our best.”