Champions League: a crazy Ziraat, Jastrzębski Węgiel and Civitanova to semifinals! Guaguas Las Palmas, Piacenza and Halkbank say good bye to Europe

A crazy Ziraat Bankkart from Turkey and Poland’s Jastrzębski Węgiel are first two semifinalists of 2023/24 CEV Champions League!
Incredible second leg of quarterfinals in Ankara, as Guaguas Las Palmas from Spain, defeated at home in four sets, easily won the second leg in Turkey with a clean 0-3 (17:25, 21:25, 18:25), taking advantage from the heavy absence of Matt Anderson and the hosts’ problems in reception (only 38%), but eventually surrendering at Golden Set in which they suffered the rivals’ play, able to win with the score of 15-7.
For the golden set winners, Wouter Ter Maat scored 17 through 43% in attack, including 4 winning blocks, followed by Oreol Camejo who added 14 through 63%. For Guaguas, 15 points from Italian Paolo Zonca through 65% in attack and 3 aces, snd 15 from Bezerra Souza, with 50%.
Italian club Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza says good bye to Europe.
After the hard-fought victory at tie break in first leg, in very hot Hala Widowiskowo – Sportowa, the hosts Jastrzębski Węgiel were able to close the game in just 3 sets, 3-0 (25:22, 26:24, 25:21).
Champions League’s runners-up and currently leaders in Plusliga will face the same Ziraat.
After losing first set, Piacenza even had a +4 lead and the players around head coach Andrea Anastasi wasted also a set point before collapsed 26-24.
At this point, all easy for the hosts, able to collect a 20-12 lead, even if they suffered Piacenza’s comeback until a dangerous 21-20.
However, it was the team from Jastrzebie Zdroj to celebrate a well-deserved win led in score by Jean Patry, top scorer with 15 points through 59%, followed by European Champion Tomasz Fornal, who added 14 through an impressive 73% in attack despite some difficulties in reception, and a very good Norbert Huber with 9 points including the one that closed the game and 4 winning blocks. Yuri Romanó was the only player in double digit for Piacenza, with 13 points through 56% in attack and 3 aces.
In the evening, Cucine Lube Civitanova down Turkey’s Halkbank Ankara by 3-1 (25:23, 20:25, 25:15, 25:23).
The match began with the hosts taking an early 5-0 lead, showcasing their determination to secure a spot in the semifinals. Despite Halkbank Ankara’s efforts and a strong performance by Earvin Ngapeth (17 points through 52% in attack and 2 winning blocks), the Italian team managed to close the game, despite the absence of Luciano De Cecco, replaced by a great Jakob Thelle, led by MVP Simone Anzani, author of 4 decisive blocks and a great leader on the court, top scorer Marlon Yant with 18 points, followed by Aleksandar Nikolov who added 17 and Adis Lagumdzija (15 with 1 ace and 4 blocks). On the other side of the net, in addition to Ngapeth, 3 more players in double digit: Nimir (13), Perrin (10) and Tayaz (10).
For Civitanova, this will be first Champions League Semifinal after 3 years!
Tomorrow Italian Superlega winners Trentino Itas, who won first leg in Germany in four sets, will welcome Berlin Recycling Volleys for the last spot in semifinals, and then in Superfinals, scheduled on May 5.

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🏆| 2023/24 CEV CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | Quarterfinals

FIRST LEG

Wednesday February 21, 2024
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Halkbank Ankara (TUR) – Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) 1-3 (21:25, 21:25, 27:25, 22:25)
📍TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall Ankara / A
• 19.30 (Local Time) | Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) – Trentino Itas (ITA) 0-3 (18:25, 17:25, 17:25)
📍Max-Schmeling-Halle Berlin
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza (ITA) – Jastrzębski Węgiel (POL) 3-2 (19:25, 30:28, 25:16, 22:25, 15:11)
📍PalaBanca Piacenza
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

Thursday February 22, 2024
• 18.30 (Local Time) | Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) – Ziraat Bankkart Ankara (TUR) 1-3 (25:17, 23:25, 21:25, 23:25)
📍Centro Insular de Deportes Las Palmas

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SECOND LEG

👉🏼Wednesday February 28, 2024

• 18.00 (Local Time) | Jastrzębski Węgiel (POL) – Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza (ITA) 3-0 (25:22, 26:24, 25:21)
📍Hala Widowiskowo – Sportowa Jastrzebie Zdroj

• 19.00 (Local Time) | Ziraat Bankkart Ankara (TUR) – Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) 0-3 (17:25, 21:25, 18:25) GOLDEN SET: 15-7
📍TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall Ankara / A

• 20.30 (Local Time) | Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) – Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 3-1 (25:23, 20:25, 25:15, 25:23)
📍Eurosuole Forum Civitanova Marche

Thursday February 29, 2024
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Trentino Itas (ITA) – Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:22)
📍ilT quotidiano Arena Trento

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