The men’s European Champions League has begun, igniting the race for the ultimate continental club title and to punch a direct ticket to the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship.
Defending champions Zenit Kazan of Russian continued their winning streak in the Champions League to an impressive 10-0, carrying over from last season. Zenit was able to sweep Knack Roeselare 3-0, (25-23, 25-19, 25-18), wit 18 points from Wilfredo Leon and another 15 from Maxim Mikhailov. Zenit haven’t lost a Champions league match since last year, when they fell last season at home to Poland’s PGE Skra Belchatow in five sets after leading the matach 2-0.
France’s Earvin Ngapeth recorded 26 points to lead Italian champions Azimut Modena in a five set battle 3-2, (23-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-19, 15-12) over Asseco Resovia Rzeszow. Resovia’s Marko Ivovic scored 22 points but the Italian squad primarily dominated the net.
The bronze medalist from last season, Cucine Lube Civitanova, won in four with Atlas Arena 3-1, (25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21). Lube’s Tsvetan Sokolov produced 27 points (25 kills in 37 swings for a 69% hitting efficiency) to counter the attack from Arena’s Maruisz Wlazly’s 23 points.
Poland is now in danger of not having any representation in the Playoffs ‘Round of 6’ after Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle fell to Belogorie Belgorod 3-1, (13-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20). The strong Polish block was nothing for Dmitriy Muserskiy who scored 23 points.
The winner of the Champions League will be joining South American champions Sada Cruzeiro Contagem and Asian champions Sarmayeh Bank Tehran at the FIVB Club WOrld Championships that will take place from December 11-19 in Poland. Another ticket goes to Poland’s PlusLiga, as the hosts of the event. The rest of the berths to the tournament will come from the winners of the club leagues of the top two countries in the FIVB rankings as well as two wild card choices.
The ‘Round of 12’ are concluding today, March 23.
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