After the Bosnian champions, Fino KASPOVAR face their Austrian counterpart

After eliminating OK Napredak ODŽAK, Fino KAPOSVAR will face the Austrian champions TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG in the second qualifying round of the CEV XTB Champions League Volley 2027 Men. The Hungarian champions advanced from the first round with two victories, winning 3-2 at home before securing a 3-1 victory in the return leg a week later.

However, the home victory was overshadowed by an injury to one of the team’s key players, Patrik Hubicska, who landed awkwardly towards the end of the fifth set and suffered a serious knee ligament injury. The former Hungarian international outside hitter is therefore expected to miss not only the matches with HARTBERG but potentially the remainder of the season as well.

The Hungarian side remain unbeaten this season, having won both of their Champions League qualifying matches as well as all three of their domestic league games. TSV Raiffeisen HARTBERG, meanwhile, have already suffered one defeat, losing to their major rivals SK AICH/DOB. The team from Bleiburg defeated HARTBERG 3-0 in the opening round of the national league, leaving the Austrian champions in third place after four matches. Since that defeat, however, HARTBERG have won all three of their subsequent league fixtures.

Last season, HARTBERG were involved in a close battle with AICH/DOB. They finished second behind their rivals in the regular season, but AICH/DOB were eliminated by RIED im INNKREIS in the semi-finals. HARTBERG therefore faced RIED in the final and won the series 4-1, claiming the first Austrian championship title in the club’s history.

The first leg of the Champions League qualifying tie between Fino and TSV Raiffeisen will take place in Kaposvár on Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. The return leg is scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Austria. The winners will face either Levski SOFIA or Mladost ZAGREB in the third qualifying round, with a place in the #CLVolleyM group stage at stake.

Zoran Kedačič, head coach of Fino KAPOSVAR: “In 2023, I was the head coach of AICH/DOB, so we played against HARTBERG many times. We had some great battles, and I particularly remember the league semi-finals. Their team has changed somewhat since then, but their setter is still the same. They have the experienced Maximilian Thaller, who is also the setter for the Austrian national team. They have several other very good players as well. For example, their opposite hitter, Djordje Knežević, has been playing there for many years, so I know him very well too. I think we are facing an opponent worthy of the second qualifying round of the Champions League. I am expecting a very difficult match and a huge battle. This is the Champions League, where everyone is even more motivated, and every team wants to advance to the next round. It certainly won’t be easy for us, but I really cannot wait for this match.”