Champions League: Berlin and ZAKSA won their playoffs games
3 min read
After Spain’s Guaguas Las Palmas, who yesterday down VK Lvi Praha in straight sets, also Berlin Recycling Volleys triumph in 2023/24 CEV Champions League Playoff and set eyes on Quarterfinals.
The German side secured a 3-1 (25:17, 20:25, 25:13, 25:22) victory against French titleholders Tours with a standout performance at their Max-Schmeling-Halle witnessed by 4,387 volleyball fans.
This win puts them in a strong position for the second leg match in France, needing two set wins to advance to the quarterfinals.
The game opened with high spirit from the hosts. Decisive Timothée Carle and Nehemiah Mote, who led Berlin to a first-set win.
Despite a setback in the second set, the hosts rebounded with great serves and defensive plays, especially from captain Ruben Schott.
His great performance, featuring 18 points including four aces, was decisive in winning the game. Additionally, Marek Sotola also contributed 15 points and Timothée Carle added 13 to Berlin’s tally.
Aboubakar Drame Neto and Märt Tammearu scored 13 points apiece leading the score for Tours.
Post-match, MVP Schott praised the team’s serve and aggressive attack, while Johannes Tille highlighted their motivation and the crowd’s support.
In an exhilarating first playoff match, defending champions Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle secured a hard-fought victory in Poland against Turkish Efeleligi leaders Halkbank Ankara, with a final score of 3-2 (21:25, 25:22, 25:21, 16:25, 15:12).
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring significant turnarounds in the second set for the hosts and the fourth for Halkbank. A peculiar incident occurred during the tie-break, when referees faced a challenging time determining the set’s score, causing a prolonged delay.
Ultimately, ZAKSA led 8-6 at the side change.
Łukasz Kaczmarek ended the game as top scorer and MVP with 23 points through 57% efficiency in attack, alongside 3 aces, closely followed by teammate Bartosz Bednorz with 21 points. For Halkbank, Earvin N’Gapeth matched Bednorz’s score, while Nimir Abdel-Aziz also contributed with 15 points.
This gripping encounter sets the stage for the rematch on February 7th, and the winners will face Cucine Lube Civitanova in the quarterfinals.
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🏆| 2023/24 CEV CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | PLAYOFFS
Tuesday January 30, 2024
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) – VK Lvi Praha (CZE) 3-0 (25:23, 25:23, 26:24)
📍Centro Insular de Deportes Las Palmas
👉🏼Wednesday January 31, 2024
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) – Tours VB (FRA) 3-1 (25:17, 20:25, 25:13, 25:22)
📍Max-Schmeling-Halle Berlin
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Kozle (POL) – Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 3-2 (21:25, 25:22, 25:21, 16:25, 15:12)
📍Azoty Kędzierzyn-Kozle
Wednesday February 7, 2024
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Halkbank Ankara (TUR) – Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Kozle (POL) 3-0 (32:30, 25:21, 25:22)
📍TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall Ankara / A
• 19.30 (Local Time) | VK Lvi Praha (CZE) – Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) 3-1 (25:21, 25:21, 22:25, 22:25) GOLDEN SET: 8-15
📍Arena Sparta Podvinny Mlyn Praha
Thursday February 8, 2024
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Tours VB (FRA) – Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) 0-3 (22:25, 18:25, 22:25)
📍Salle Robert Grenon Tours
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