Asterix Avo and Maritza record 3-0 wins in #CLVolleyW opening round
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Belgium’s Asterix Avo BEVEREN and Bulgaria’s Maritza PLOVDIV secured comprehensive 3-0 win on Wednesday night as action continues in the early rounds of the elite CEV Champions League Volley 2027 Women. The Belgians came back from trailing in the opening set of their home game with OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR of Slovenia – whereas Maritza looked in full control in their away match with Montenegro’s OK HERCEG NOVI.
For many of the players from Asterix Avo BEVEREN this was their first-ever appearance in the Champions League, so they started hesitantly, thus allowing OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR to quickly take a four-point lead in the first set. By the score of 19-23, the hosts had nothing left to lose, and suddenly they played more relaxed. Flore Maes served four points against a set ball, and went on to secure a 26-24 win for the home side.
The second set was more even, with no team able to create a gap of a few points. Asterix Avo slowly took the lead at 18-15 and went on to seize the set (25-18). In the third set, OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR lost all their self-confidence and the blocks of Asterix Avo BEVEREN stopped all their attacks, leading to a comprehensive 25-12 win.
Asterix Avo head coach Frederik De Veylder was very happy with this victory:
“We got more impact on the game as the match progressed. The team was more and more diligent in executing the match plan too. Moreover, the substitutions with Romane Neufkens, Ana Van den Spiegel and Kaat Peeters had a very positive impact.”
Team captain Elise Van Sas: “After the almost miraculous win in the first set, we gained more confidence in our game, and this paid off.”
Head coach Žiga Kos from OTP Banka Branik MARIBOR said that his team needs to avoid mistakes and take more control of the match. They have a week to work on this, and look forward to the return match in Maribor.
Bulgaria’s multiple national champions and regular #CLVolleyW contestants Maritza PLOVDIV played with much confidence and consistency as they stormed to a 3-0 victory (25-13, 25-23, 25-20) over OK HERCEG NOVI propelled by Ana Pejicic and Aleksandra Kitipova who top scored with 15 and 11 points, respectively – and a massive record of 16 blocks, including five from Pejicic and four registered by Boryana Angelova.
The return matches will take place next week in Maribor and Plovdiv with a spot in Round 3 at stake.