Challenge Cup: Warszawa eliminates Akaa Volley to fly to Final!

2 min read

7 February 2024 Danijel90

Predictions respected in semifinals of 2023/24 CEV Challenge Cup, with a
3-1 (25:20, 18:25, 25:18, 25:17) home win of Projekt Warszawa over Akaa Volley from Finland. In Final, the Polish side, currently at second place in Plusliga, will face Italy’s Mint Vero Volley Monza, who yesterday eliminated Turkey’s Galatasaray HDI Istanbul.
Warszawa, after easily won first leg in Finland, needed just two sets to claim the ticket for Final in front of their home fans, but surprisingly the rivals were able to put down the ball of 1-1, and thus to re-open the game. However, the players around head coach soon regain the control of the game in third set, at first with a 8-6 lead, and then with a 16-13, to eventually close the game in four sets without major problems.
Bartlomiej Boladz ended the game as top scorer for the winners with 19 points through 55% in attack and 1 ace, supported by Igor Grobelny who added 13 (67% in attack with 2 winning blocks and 1 ace too), while Matej Smidl top-scored Akaa with 17 points.
As for Monza, also for the Polish team this will be the second Challenge Cup final in club’s history, and this could be their first title: in 2011/12, when the team was called Politechnica Warszawa, lost the derby against compatriots AZS Czestochowa.
First leg of Final in Poland is scheduled on Wednesday, February 20, while second leg in Italy a week later, on February, 27.

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🏆| 2023/24 CHALLENGE CUP | Semifinals

First Leg

Tuesday January 30, 2024
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Akaa Volley (FIN) – Projekt Warszawa (POL) 0-3 (18:25, 20:25, 14:25)
📍Viialan Liikuntahalli Akaa

Wednesday January 31, 2024
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Mint Vero Volley Monza (ITA) – Galatasaray HDI Istanbul (TUR) 3-0 (25:17, 25:14, 25:16)
📍Arena di Monza

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Second Leg

Tuesday February 6, 2024
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Galatasaray HDI Istanbul (TUR) – Mint Vero Volley Monza (ITA) 2-3 (16:25, 20:25, 25:21, 25:22, 12:15)
📍Burhan Felek Voleybol Salonu Istanbul

👉🏼Wednesday Februay 7, 2024
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Projekt Warszawa (POL) – Akaa Volley (FIN) 3-1 (25:20, 18:25, 25:18, 25:17)
📍Torwar Hall COS Warszawa