ACH Volley Ljubljana blows away Romanians and advances to the quarter-finals
ACH Volley Ljubljana blows away Romunas and advances to the quarter-finals
In the return leg of the CEV Challenge Cup eighth-final, we watched the duel between the home team C.S.A. Steaua and ACH Volley Ljubljana, who travelled to Romania on the back of their victory in the first leg in Tivoli, at the Mihai Viteazul Arena in Bucharest. The Orange Dragons dominated from the start and won 3:0 to qualify for the CEV Challenge Cup 1/4-finals.
Bucharest - Mihai Viteazul Sports Hall, 300 spectators, referees Berdnikov (Russia), Janik (Poland).
C.S.A. Steaua BUCURESTI : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-21, -17, -15).
C.S.A. Steaua BUCURESTI: Radunovic 7, Lakcevic (L), Ghionea, Peta 8, Lopar 5, Dumitru 1, Ocunschi, Romanscu (L), Iftime 3, Vologa 4, Matei 10, Miron, Bontea, Kostic. Coach: Dan Duroaia.
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Pernuš , Šket 12, Rutar 2, Mašulović 7, Todorović 1, Peruničić 1, Okroglič 5, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 16, Pokeršnik 1, Videčnik 9. Coach: Mladen Kašić
ACH Volley Ljubljana opened the match better, leading 4:2 after a block by Videčnik and two successful attacks by Okroglič. After another block by the determined Videčnik, the Orange Dragons were already ahead by four points (4:8). The home players of C.S.A. Steaua managed to reduce the deficit to two points (8:10) with successful blocks, but the Ljubljana players again pulled away (8:12) on the service of Šket. The rest of the match was evenly matched, with the Ljubljana players maintaining a four-point advantage. After the second unforced error by the home team's setter Matei, the Romanian team's strategist Duroaia intervened after the first timeout at 14:18. This did not stop ACH Volley's volleyball team from entering the playoffs with a comfortable five-point lead (16:21). Todorović was excellent in playing his teammates, who Steaua's volleyball players could not follow. The second half-minute break at the home team's request did not help the Bucharest volleyball team either, as the Ljubljana volleyball players calmly closed the set in their favour (21:25) with an attack by Gjorgiev.
The opening of the second set saw some attractive volleyball, with a number of nice, mainly defensive moves. ACH Volley Ljubljana was the first to take a two-point lead after a block by Mašulović and a successful attack by Okroglič, but the home team, with the support of their fans, managed to tie the score at seven and immediately afterwards took their first lead of the set (8:7). After an ace by Šket, the Ljubljana team breathed easier again (9.12), but the Steaua players managed to close the gap to one point again (11:12). First a strong attack and then a block by the increasingly playful Gjorgiev gave the Orange Dragons a three-point lead (11:14), which was further increased by an ace by Videčnik. A timeout at the request of Steaua's bench strategist brought some energy to the home players and reduced the deficit. The visitors responded by taking a four-point lead (13:17) after a strong opening shot by Gjorgiev and a finish by Mašulović. After another attacking error by C.S.A. Steaua, the Ljubljana players were one step closer to winning the second set and advancing to the quarter-finals of the CEV Challenge Cup. A series of initial shots by OkrogliĆ finally decided the winner of the set. It ended on the 17th point after a mistake by Pete.
Despite already being assured of advancing, the Orange Dragons made a strong start to the third set, leading 3:0. After a successful attack by Mašulović for 5:1 and blocks by Videčnik and Todorović immediately after, the match was more or less decided at 5:12. Coach Kašić gave the opportunity to the rest of the players, who continued their excellent play and pressure on the opening kicks (9:21). Rutar decided the match with a successful attack in favour of ACH Volley Ljubjana (15:25).
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Mladen Kašić: "After the first match in Ljubljana, which we won 3:1 and played a bit below expectations, today's performance was phenomenal in all elements of the game. The approach of the players was also right. We saw perhaps one of the most beautiful ACH Volley games of this season. We all wanted to be promoted, but we still didn't expect it to be so easy. We are continuing with the wins, we have 30 at the moment, and we want to go as far as possible in this rhythm."
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana player, Nikola Gjorgiev: "I knew that we didn't show our best game and our true face in Tivoli last week. Also, the opponent was under much more pressure today than a week ago. We were much more relaxed today because of the good result from the first game. As for the next possible opponent, whether it will be A.J. Fonte Bastardo or Paok Thessaloniki, we are aware that in both cases they are excellent teams. The Portuguese are in first place in the Portuguese championship and are unbeaten this season. The Greek team Paok is also an extremely strong team with an international cast. First we will see who will be today's winner and we will think about them when the time comes. In the meantime we have many other matches to win."
SOURCE: ACH Volley Ljubljana