Guaguas set sights on second #CLVolleyM quarterfinal appearance

Spain’s Guaguas LAS PALMAS are ‘only’ two sets away from reaching the quarterfinals of the CEV Champions League Volley Men for the second time in their history. The reigning Spanish national champions delighted some 2,800 fans on Thursday night as they secured a 3-1 home victory (25-15, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22) over wildcard holders MONTPELLIER HSC VB of France. 

Back in 2023/2024, Guaguas progressed to the quarterfinals of the #CLVolleyM after starting their campaign from the early rounds and they seem determined to achieve the same feat this year as well. After making it through the early rounds again and finishing second only to titleholders Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA in Pool C, they resumed their march with a comprehensive home win even though they conceded the second set to their rivals from France. This match coincided with the very first appearance of MONTPELLIER HSC VB in the Playoffs of the CEV Champions League and even though their German opposite Simon Hirsch top scored with 21 points, the French side will have to work hard to be able to force a Golden Set next week when they host the second leg on home soil. 

In a truly collective effort for Guaguas, four players finished the match in double digits, with their usual top scorer Francisco Wallyson Bezerra Souza topping the charts on 18 points. Guaguas had a small edge in blocks (7 vs 6) and aces (5 vs 3) as well as in all other areas of the game. However, what made the difference were the (unforced) errors by MONTPELLIER HSC VB – as many as 32 vs only 18 for the Spaniards. The re-match in one week will decide who will secure the right to play last year’s gold medal winners PERUGIA in the quarterfinals.