ZAKSA prevail in dramatic five-setter, Berlin with important win in CLVolleyM play-offs
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The first week in the quest for highly-anticipated spots in the CEV Champions League Volley 2024 - Men continued with two thrilling play-off games on Wednesday. Berlin Recycling Volleys earned an important 3-1 win over Tours VB and is one step closer from grabbing the ticket to the last eight. The reigning champions Grupa Azoty Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle prevailed in a dramatic five-setter against Halkbank Ankara.
BERLIN Recycling Volleys vs TOURS VB 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 25-13, 25-22)
In front of 4,387 spectators gathered at the iconic Max-Schmeling-Halle in the German capital, Berlin Recycling Volleys took on Tours VB. The hosts started the game better, playing well in all components, however the block was their main weapon (4 stuffs in the opener). The players around coach Joel Banks had an amazing streak from 20-17 to 25-17 with Johannes Tillie on the service line.
After losing the opener, the players from Tours VB returned to the court even more eager to show their potential. Led by Michael Parkinson (5 points and 80% in attack in the 2nd set) and Mart Tammearu (also 5 points), they managed to upset the hosts taking this part 25-20. It was a cold shower for the local favourites, who took an early 8-2 lead and never looked back in the 3rd set, winning it in impressive style 25-13.
Tours fought hard to extend this game, but Berlin stayed on the lead, closing the match 3-1 after Ruben Schott's spike. The captain of Berlin Recycling Volleys, who impressed with consistent performance especially in the third and fourth set (5 and 6 points, respectively), topped the scorers' chart with 18 points (4 aces, 2 blocks, 12 attacks with 46% success and 67% of positive receptions) and was named the MVP. On Tour's side Aboubacar Drame Neto and Mart Tammearu scored 13 points apiece.
Johannes TILLEWe went into this Champions League match with full motivation and the support of the crowd. The focus was right and we served well across the board. On top of that, Tour's opposite player didn't get into the game. If we manage to build up exactly the same pressure away from home in Tours, I think we have a good chance of progressing to the quarter-final.
player of Berling Recycling Volleys
Ruben SchottWe finally showed a really strong serving performance again. The quality of our setting after defence was also strong. Joel Banks had repeatedly called for more aggression in attack. We were prepared for long rallies and remained patient. That was another key to success. In the end, everyone played their part today. Timo served superbly, Nemo smashed the three-metre area, Sato fought hard in defence, Tim converted very important and difficult balls, Hannes played superbly and Marek made the most of his height. Compliments to the whole team, we can also do it like that in Tours.
player of Berlin Recycling Volleys, MVP
Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE vs Halkbank ANKARA 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-25, 15-12)
The clash between the reigning champions Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle and Halkbank Ankara was expected to be a big battle and already their first game proved to be such. At Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle Hall, the hosts under the guidance of new head coach Adam Swaczyna didn't have an easy start to the game. Halkbank Ankara quickly jumped to 8-4 lead, and although the hosts almost managed to tie at 12-11 with Łukasz Kaczmarek on the service line, the guests with unstoppable Earvin Ngapeth (7 points in the first set, 75% success in attack) took control over this set, winning it 25-21.
Halkbank kept the momentum and stayed on the lead until 19-15. Then, Zaksa proved again that no one should underestimate the reigning champions. With Kaczmarek on serve, they won six consecutive points to jump to 21-19 after Marcin Janusz's block on Nimir Abdel-Aziz. Kaczmarek and Bartosz Bednorz (6 points apiece) were the main scoring machines, leading the team to 25-22 win.
Zaksa fuelt by success in the second set, dominated on the court also in the next part. 18-year-old Romanian outside spiker Cristian-Daniel Chitigoi spreaded his wings in this set, hammering 7 points (67% in attack). And once it looked that the hosts were on the good way to close the game 3-1, leading 12-10 they lost focus after an ace serve from Łukasz Kaczmarek. Red card to Poland's spiker was an impulse for the opponents, who used their chance running away with the score to 21-13. They quickly closed the set 25-16, and it was tie-break to decide the final score. Also the tie-break was a roller-coaster. Halkabnk took a 5-2 lead, but two aces in a row from Bartosz Bednorz vanished this advantage. Zaksa's super duo Bednorz-Kaczmarek slowly but firmly led the team to the 3-2 win.
Kaczmarek topped the scorers' chart with 23 points, including 3 aces and 20 kills (57% in attack), being named the MVP of the game. Two points less were collected by Bednorz and Halkbank's leader Earvin Ngapeth, who completed the game with 67% in attack.
Łukasz KaczmarekWe are happy that we are on top again after a very difficult match. There were really a lot of nerves, and the red card for me... well, sometimes it's hard to contain your emotions. The most important thing is that we were not afraid to attack in difficult situations and I must admit that I have not seen such excellent defense by our boys for a long time. I know that the rematch will be very difficult, but we used to come out of such uncomfortable positions
player of Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn-Koźle
Slobodan KovacThere is nothing to comment on. We have to focus on the return match because we played a good match and details decided about the defeat. I think we will advance at home
head coach of Halkbank Anakra