Champions League: winning debut for Ziraat, Tours, Trento and Berlin

After six games played yesterday, first week of 2023/24 CEV Champions League has been closed today with last four clashes.
Predictions respected in Pool A, in which Turkish powerhouse Ziraat Bank Ankara prevailed on the field or Belgium’s Knack Roeselare but not without fighting, 1-3 (19:25, 25:19, 24:26, 24:26). 3 players among the winners ended the game in double digit: top scorer Wouter Ter Maar, with 19 points through 55% in attack and 2 winning blocks, Matt Anderson who also contributed with 16, and Oreol Camejo, with 14. Seppe Rotty scored 21 points for the losing side.
In two encounters of Pool B, Champions of Italy Itas Trentino triumphed over ACH Volley on their home court while, in a match held in Poland, Tours emerged victorious against the hosts Asseco Resovia.
Itas Trentino hosted and triumphed over Slovenian champions with a score of 3-1 (25:15, 20:25, 25:18. 25:23).
Despite not fielding their strongest lineup and benching key players Jan Kozamernik and Daniele Lavia, they faced a resilient ACH Volleys, particularly after losing a set and enduring a tough battle in the decisive fourth one. The Slovenian team, aiming to prove their resilience against the favorites, showcased commendable resistance in Italy.
Kamil Rychlicki, Giulio Magalini and Alessandro Michieletto were standout performers for the winners, with the first one scoring a remarkable 28 points through an impressive 66% success rate in attacks, while the other two addded 14 and 12 points (including 4 aces) respectively.
On the Slovenian side, Nikola Gjorgiev and Jan Pokeršnik each scored 18 points (PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH).
In another Group B encounter, Polish team Asseco Resovia suffered a surprising defeat at home, losing 1-3 (22:25, 23:25, 25:21, 21:25) to Champions of France Tours. Brazilian player Drame Neto, scoring 27 points, played a pivotal role in Tours’ victory over the Polish side. Despite Stephen Boyer’s effort for the hosts, scoring 22 points with a 61% success rate in attacks, one block, and an ace, it was not enough to secure at least one point for Asseco Resovia.
In a second match of the CEV Champions League Pool C, Germany’s Berlin Recycling Volleys secured a victory against Portugal’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
The game, played in Berlin, ended in a clean sweep with scores of 27:25, 25:19, and 25:21 in favor of the hosts.
The opening set featured a very balanced game for both teams, as they struggled to secure the necessary 25 points for a set win. However, the team from Germany’s capital demonstrated a slight superiority, as the rivals, despite a great start, collapsed in the second set, failing to score beyond 20 points. The German team capitalized on this, continuing their strong defensive play with effective blocks and aces, maintaining their lead.
The third set saw Berlin persisting with their good play, which paid off as they closed the match in three straight sets. Czech Marek Sotola, from Berlin Recycling Volleys, top-scored with 19 points, through 53% attack success, along with 2 block points and 1 ace, but Frenchman Timothée Carle also made a significant role with 15 points, including a 60% attack rate and 3 block points. For Benfica, André Ryuma led with 15 points, achieving a 65% attack rate.
Marek Sotola’s outstanding performance, culminating in 19 points, earned him the MVP title of the match.
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🏆| 2023/24 CEV CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | Games of the Week

Pool A

Wednesday November 22, 2023
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Grupa Azoty Kęrzierzyn-Kozle (POL) – Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 3-1 (23:25, 25:20, 28:26, 31:29)
📍Azoty Kędzierzyn-Kozle

👉🏼Thursday November 23, 2023
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Knack Roeselare (BEL) – Ziraat Bank Ankara (TUR) 1-3 (19:25, 25:19, 24:26, 24:26)
📍Tomabel Hall Roeselare

STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Grupa Azoty Kęrzierzyn-Kozle (POL) 3
2. Ziraat Bank Ankara (TUR) 3
3. Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 0
4. Knack Roeselare (BEL) 0

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Pool B

👉🏼Thursday November 23, 2023

• 18.00 (Local Time) | Asseco Resovia Rzeszów (POL) – Tours VB (FRA) 1-3 (22:25, 23:25, 25:21, 21:25)
📍RCWS Podpromie Rzeszów

• 20.30 (Local Time) | Trentino Itas (ITA) – ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) 3-1 (25:15, 20:25, 25:18. 26:24)
📍ilT quotidiano Arena Trento
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Trentino Itas (ITA) 3
2. Tours VB (FRA) 3
3. Asseco Resovia Rzeszów (POL) 0
4. ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) 0

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Pool C

Wednesday November 22, 2023
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza (ITA) – Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 1-3 (19:25, 18:25, 25:19, 21:25)
📍Palabanca Piacenza

👉🏼Thursday November 23, 2023
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) – Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) 3-0 (27:25, 25:19, 25:21)
📍Mac-Schmeling-Halle Berlin

STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) 3
2. Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 3
3. Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) 0
4. Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza (ITA) 0
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Pool D

Wednesday November 22, 2023
• 19.00 (Local Time) | SVG Lüneburg (GER) – Jihostroj České Budejovice (CZE) 3-0 (26:24, 25:20, 25:15)
📍LKH Arena Lüneburg
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Jastrzebski Węgiel (POL) – Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) 3-0 (30:28, 25:16, 26:24)
📍Hala Widowiskowo – Sportowa Jastrzebie Zdroj

STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Jastrzebski Węgiel (POL) 3
2. SVG Lüneburg (GER) 3
3. Jihostroj České Budejovice (CZE) 0
4. Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) 0

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Pool E

Wednesday November 22, 2023
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) – C.S. Arcada Galati (ROU) 3-0 (25:17, 25:19, 25:23)
📍LKH Eurosuole Forum Civitanova Marche
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Greenyard Maaseik (BEL) – VK Lvi Praha (CZE) 0-3 (22:25, 24:26, 22:25)
📍Steengoed Arena Maaseik

STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) 3
2. VK Lvi Praha (CZE) 3
3. Greenyard Maaseik (BEL) 0
4. C.S. Arcada Galati (ROU) 0

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