Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA showed no signs of slowing down as they celebrate second consecutive straight-set victory in the 4th Round of CEV Champions League. The hosts of the 1st Leg in Pool E competed with VK UP OLOMOUC on Wednesday night in Pala Igor Gorgonzola Novara. Both teams went head to head in block, service and attack elements, but errors paid a key role in the final result of the match. VK UP OLOMOUC can still finish the week with points as they will be facing Dinamo Ak-Bars KAZAN on Thursday.

NOVARA opened the match with a strong 3-8 lead against OLOMOUC, keeping the gap throughout the first set. The Italian team maintained the rhythm in the second set, but VK UP OLOMOUC fought in an amazing comeback, going from 13-19 to level the score at 22-22 and go 23-22 ahead. The hosts managed to get last two points to claim the set. Both teams kept the score tight at the start of the third set and OLOMOUC took the first strong lead in the match with 11-7, but NOVARA even the score to win the final part 20-25. 

• While NOVARA dominated the match overall, OLOMOUC showed a great spirit, making an impressive come back in the second set from 13-19 behind to 23-22 ahead

• Caterina Bosetti was awarded MVP of the game. She helped her team achieving the success with a consistent performance, both in passing-defending (86% of positive reception) and in attacking (55% of score-ratio)

• Elisa Zanette celebrated her all-time debut in the CEV Champions League with 6 points, scoring the crucial attack of first (17-25) and third (20-25) set.

• Krista Michaela Bjerregard Madsen was the best attacker of the game with an 80% of winning attacks

• NOVARA team played with a red sign on their right cheek for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Sara Bonifacio, middle-blocker of Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA: “We are happy about the victory and about our campaign so far. OLOMOUC fought a lot and this gave us the chance to keep high the rhythm. This allowed us to change our line-up and everyone could enjoy the battle”.

Krista Michaela Bjerregard Madsen (middle-blocker of VK UP OLOMOUC): “We approached the game with the main target of enjoying it and I am so proud of my team for our performance. Maybe we can regret a little bit just the second set. It was a pity that we couldn’t make it to score the last point”.