Champions League: Friedrichshafen destroy Tours on the road to take first step towards Quarterfinals

If yesterday titleholders Grupa Azoty Kedzierzyn-Kozle won in straight sets the all-Polish clash on the field of Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, and with the game between Ziraat Bank Ankara and Berlin Recycling Volleys postponed until further notice due the earthquake that stroke Turkey, today another game ended in straight sets.
Germany’s VfB Friedrichshafen celebrated a clear win on the field of Tours VB, probably against the odds (23:25, 21:25, 21:25).
The hosts wasted a lead in decisive parts of both first and second set, in which the Germans always led the game (12-16 in both sets), then suffered the rivals’comeback, to collapse only in last segments of the game.
The winners were better in blocking, scoring 12 points from this element against 8 of Tours, and in serving, with 8 aces against the rivals’ 3.
Slovenian Ziga Stern ended the game as top scorer with 16 points through 65% in attack, including 1 block and 1 ace, and he was also named MVP.

The match between Ziraat Bank Ankara and Berlin Recycling Volleys was canceled due to the earthquake that hit Turkey and according to CEV official website: “The men’s CEV Champions League Playoff fixture opposing Ziraat Bank Ankara and Berlin Recycling Volleys has been cancelled altogether – and the return match scheduled for February 15 in the German capital city will solely determine the side that progresses to the quarterfinals of the competition”.

A short recap of the competition so far:

• Qualified to Quarterfinals:
Jastrzebski Wegiel (from Pool A), Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia (from Pool E), Trentino Itas (From Pool D), Cucine Lube Civitanova (from Pool C), Halkbank Ankara (from Pool B)

• Qualified to Playoffs: Grupa Azoty Kedzierzyn-Kozle (from Pool D), Berlin Recycling Volleys (from Pool B), VfB Friedrichshafen (from Pool A), Tours VB (from Pool C), Ziraat Bank Ankara (from Pool E), Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie (from Pool B).

• Qualified to CEV Cup Quarterfinals: CEZ Karlovarsko (from Pool D), MHSC Montpellier VB (from Pool A), Knack Roeselare (from Pool C), ACH Volley Ljubljana (from Pool E).

• Eliminated: Hebar Pazardzhik (Pool B), Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Pool C), Decospan VT Menen (Pool D), Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad (Pool A), SWD Powervolleys Düren (Pool E)

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🏐| 2022/23 CEV Champions League | Playoffs | First Leg

| Tuesday | February 7, 2023
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie (POL) – Grupa Azoty Kedzierzyn-Kozle (POL) 0-3 (23:25, 19:25, 23:25)

👉🏼 Wednesday | February 8, 2023

• 19.00 (Local Time) | Ziraat Bank Ankara (TUR) – Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) POSTPONED

• 20.00 (Local Time) | Tours VB (FRA) – VfB Friedrichshafen 0-3 (23:25, 21:25, 21:25)