ACH Volley Ljubljana to an important victory in Germany

ACH Volley Ljubljana

SWD Powervolleys and ACH Volley Ljubljana played in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage at Arena Kreis in Düren, Germany. Just like a month ago in Hala Tivoli, the Orange Dragons won 3:1.

350 spectators, referees Vlastimil Kovar (Czech Republic), Vasileios Vaseileiadis (Greece), Ari Jokelainen (Finland), Risto Strandson (Estonia).

SWD powervolleys DÜREN : ACH Volley Ljubljana 1 : 3 (-21, -20, 19, -16).

SWD powervolleys DÜREN: Batanov (L), Urban, Van Der Ent 10, Rohrs, John 14, Ernastowicz 9, Brand 16, Andrei 6, Burggraf, Gevert 7, Pettersson, Kocian 2. Coach: Rafal Murczkiewicz

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Šket 6, Mašulović 5, Todorović 5, Bošnjak, Koncilja 4, Šestan, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 24, Videčnik 5, Kök 11, Šen 3. Coach: Radovan Gačič.

The match started better for the SWD Powervolleys volleyball players, who took a 3:0 lead. This did not confuse the Ljubljana players, who quickly regained the balance and took the lead (9:11). The Orange Dragons increased their lead to three points (14:17) with a strong opening shot and an excellent block. The reaction of Rafal Murczkiewicz, the home team's coach, with a break as the German volleyball team managed to close the gap to just one point (19:20). A timeout followed at the request of coach Gačič, but it also helped ACH Volley's players, who again escaped by three (19:22). In the end of the set, the Ljubljana players celebrated the first set victory with an ace by Šket (21:25).

The second set saw a great start from the Orange Dragons, who took a 5:1 lead with first an efficient attack and then a block from Šket. Even a timeout at the request of the German bench did not stop the spirited Slovenian champions, who led 8:2 after another block by Todorović. Despite the Ljubljana team's lead (10:16), the SWD volleyball team caught the break with strong serves and tied the match at 18. In the playoffs, the guests showed more composure and won the 20th point (20:25) after an efficient attack by Šen.

The opening of the third set belonged to the SWD Powervolleys volleyball team, who took a five-point lead on Kocian's serve (8:3). After another block by the home team, this time stopping Kök, coach Gačič called for a half-minute break at 11:5. The German players continued to dominate, especially improving on the opening shot. The set ended after a strong attack by Ernastowicz (25:19).

The fourth set was opened perfectly by the guests from Ljubljana, who took a 6:1 lead after a block by Todorović. The well-positioned Koncilja first pushed the pace and then with an ace to increase the lead to 13:6. The Dragons dominated especially in the block, with Koncilja contributing a new one for 20:9. The match was finished with a successful attack by the most valuable player of the match, the Dragons' captain Nikola Gjorgiev (16:25).

Statement of ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "A very important win for us today in Germany. In the first two sets, we dominated mainly in the block and defence. In the third set we let up, but the team showed character and responded well in the fourth set and deservedly won."