#ChampionsLeague Perugia win at tie break, Skra down Zenit St. Petersburg in quarterfinals.

With the victories of Perugia and PGE Skra Bełchatów, all quarter-final first legs of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League were completed.
Perugia of Italy kept the unbeaten streak in the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League, but needed 5 sets to win against Chaumont. On the other hand, the Russian Zenit Saint Petersburg lost their perfect record.
Perugia were forced to play tie-break for the first time this season in the Champions League. The Italian team had 18 winning-blocks (five by Fabio Ricci), of which 10 were set up in the fourth set. Serbian opposite Aleksandar Atanasijević was the top-scorer for Perugia with 21 points. Julien Winkelmuller made 18 points for Chaumont.

Wilfredo Leon Venero, outside hitter for Sir Colussi Sicoma PERUGIA: “We were waiting for a tough game, because at this level, all games are tough. CHAUMONT showed us good things, and I didn’t recognise the team who played the French Cup final. This win is important before the second game. Of course, I think about the possible semi-final against Zenit KAZAN, my former club, but before that we have to finish the job against CHAUMONT, in the second match.”

Baptiste Geiler, outside hitter for CHAUMONT VB 52 HM: “We believed in the win, it was close. Our opponents have more experience, but we must win. Details make the difference, a win in five sets may be perfect, sadly, we made too many mistakes on key points.”

The Polish side PGE Skra Bełchatów became the first team in the tournament to end an immaculate results streak of Zenit Saint Petersburg. Mariusz Wlazły returned to the court after 3 months, and Skra captain ended a 4-set win of his team with 10 points. Iranian Milad Ebadipour was the best scorer for Skra with 18 points while German György Grozer scored 23 points for Zenit.

Both rematches are scheduled for March 20.

2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League quarterfinals:

PGE Skra Bełchatów – Zenit Saint Petersburg 3-1 (25:18, 13:25, 25:22, 25:18)
Chaumont VB 52 HM – Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 2-3 (21:25, 31:29, 25:17, 19:25, 14:16)

Already Played:

Trefl Gdańsk – Zenit Kazan 2-3 (19:25, 25:23, 23:25, 25:23, 13:15)
Dinamo Moscow – Cucine Lube Civitanova 2-3 (10:25, 25:23, 25:23, 18:25, 13:15)

Source and Images: CEV