Favourites Numia Vero Volley Milano look for records in play-offs doubleheader against SSC Palmberg Schwerin
The play-offs of this season’s CEV Champions League Women will throw off in Germany, with SSC Palmberg Schwerin facing Numia Vero Volley Milano, as the Italian side are overwhelming favourites, trying to get back into the last act of the competition just like last season, when they conceded a loss in the Super Finals against A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano.
The Italian side missed out on winning their pool by the slightest of margins, as they had the same number of wins and the same number of points as VakifBank Istanbul, but won 15 sets, as opposed to the Turkish side’s 16, losing the away leg, 0:3, and winning the home won, 3:1.
Nevertheless, Numia Vero Volley Milano have an advantage in this phase of the competition, as they are facing the only team which finished third in the 4th round and made it into this phase of the competition, SSC Palmberg Schwerin. The German side have finished with three wins and three losses, with the same number of wins and points as Tent Obrenovac, but won nine sets, as opposed to the Serbian side’s 10 sets won.
Therefore, in their challenge to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in history, Schwerin will have a mountain to climb, as they face a familiar situation, similar to the previous time they made it into this phase of the competition, in the 2012/13 season, 12 years ago.
That time, Schwerin faced another Italian side in their bid for a quarter-finals berth, but after a 3:2 home win and a 1:3 away loss, they were eliminated by Unendo Yamamay Busto Arsizio in the golden set, 10:15. However, they have mustered three wins so far in this season, but have failed to win a set in the clash against a powerhouse, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit Istanbul.
But Numia Vero Volley Milano will be overwhelming favourites in this doubleheader, with their star-studded line-up, spearheaded by the three-time MVP of the European premium competition, Paola Egonu.
Egonu is the top scorer of her side this season, with 74 points, while Milano have also received meaningful contributions throughout the season from setter Alessia Orro, who has the third-highest percentage as setter in this Champions League campaign, 53,33%, as well as from Nika Daalderop, who has the third-highest percentage of perfect receptions in this season, 24,75%.
“We will have a difficult match on Wednesday, in an environment unknown to us and against a team that we are not used to facing. It will be essential to adapt quickly to their game, trying to limit the occasions in which they can express their speed, which enhances the qualities of their attackers. We will have to impose our technical value to have control of the match. In a double confrontation, the first leg is not decisive, but starting with a victory could make the path much easier,” said Milano’s coach, Stefano Lavarini.
The Italian powerhouse have made it to the quarter-finals of the European premium competition in each of their previous three campaigns, and will look to avoid to be the first Italian team in seven seasons to be eliminated at this stage, while also aiming to beat their best winning streak in the CEV Champions League Women, which can reach six matches, provided they win both matches against Schwerin.