The third week of actions saw Pool B favourites Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and Berlin Recycling Volleys take victories in the CEV Champions League.
The expectations of Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice‘s local fans for a second home win did not come true. Following a great straight-set win two weeks ago versus Budvanska Rivijera Budva, the boys of head coach Jan Svoboda hoped for more reasons to celebrate, but the Russian opposition was no match for the Czech champions.
Lokomotiv Novosibirsk arrived in the small town of Ceske Budejovice with a full squad and had no intention of losing time to get the job done. The Russians were extremely focused throughout the whole three sets, took the lead early in each one of them and silenced the euphoric supporters. The eloquent difference in block points (11 – 1) in favour of Lokomotiv despaired the opponent attackers. The Swedish “gunner” Marcus Nilsson was once again the highest scorer for the Russian Cup holder with his 19 points, achieved with a splendid attack percent of 62. The former Czech international Jakub Novotny reminded us of his younger years by leading Jihostroj’s attack, but the 9 points he contributed were insufficient.
Jan Svoboda said after the game: “We have realized that even though we lost in straight sets we have a strong team, but our players need more experience at this level. We did not serve well and this paved the way for the offense power of our opponent”.
Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice – Lokomotiv Novosibirsk 0-3 (21-25, 17-25, 18-25)
Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice: Zapletal, Novotny 9, Rojas 8, Platenik 8, Mach 4, Sukuba, Juracka – libero, Sobotka 4, Michalek, Habr, Fila, Krisko
Lokomotiv Novosibirsk: Butko 3, Nilsson 19, Divis 10, Biryukov 6, Volvich 11, Gutsalyuk 7, Golubev – libero, Voronkov
Berlin Recycling Volleys made an important step on the road to reaching the next round by outclassing Budvanska Rivijera Budva at home. The game could have been even easier for the German champions if they did not lose game rhythm in the second set. The anger of the Budva Management board after the disappointing start of the season might probably be softened now that their team finally won a set in the Champions League, but the lack of points and the last current position in Pool B are surely not going to give them peace.
The summer signing Robert Kromm was set the highest number of balls by Kawika Shoji and quite expectedly topped the scorers’ list for Berlin Recycling Volleys with 19 points. Vojin Cacic was unlucky to be on the losing side as he finished the fourth set with 18 points.
Berlin Recycling Volleys – Budvanska Rivijera Budva 3-1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-19, 25-13)
Berlin Recycling Volleys: Shoji 4, Spirovski 12, Touzinsky 6, Kromm 19, Fischer 12, Kmet 10, Krystof – libero, Sikiric 1, Kuehner, Carroll 8
Budvanska Rivijera Budva: Petkovic, Venno 16, Cacic 18, Dukic 6, Suljagic 10, Maksimovic 5, Rasovic – libero, Papovic, Cuk 2
Fourth week schedule:
20.11.2012, Tuesday, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk – Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice
21.11.2012, Wednesday, Budvanska Rivijera Budva – Berlin Recycling Volleys
Pictures: CEV
