In the Champions League, the three Italian teams will meet the same opponents faced a week ago in the first return games of the Main Phase. Thanks to a 3-1 win in Austria, Macerata is now top of the group as they are ready to host Innsbruck. Cuneo will try to repeat the performance had in France as they take on Poitiers. The aim for Gulinelli’s team is to consolidate its leadership. Trentino travels to Poland eager to take revenge following their home loss against Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle, which is the leader of the Polish league and counts a point advantage on Trentino in the group.
Standings 2012 CEV Champions League
POOL A
Noliko Maaseik 7, Arkas Izmir 6, Iraklis Thessaloniki 5, Cska Sofia 0
POOL B
Zenit Kazan 9, VfB Friedrichshafen 6, Euphony Asse-Lennik 2, Remat Zalau 1
POOL C
Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle 8, Trentino PlanetWin365 7, Cai Teruel 3, Partizan Termoelektro Beograd 0
POOL D
Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo, Stade Poitevin Poitiers 6, Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice, Generali Unterhaching 3
POOL E
Lube Banca Marche Macerata 7, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk 6, Fenerbahce Instanbul 5, Hypo Tirol Innsbruck 0
POOL F
Pge Skra Belchatow 8, Tours VB 6, Ach Volley Ljubljana 3, Budvanska Rivijera Budva 1
CEV Champions League – Round 4
POOL C
Thursday December 22 at 6pm
Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle (POL) – Trentino PlanetWin365 (ITA)
Live on Sportitalia 1
POOL D
Wednesday December 21 at 8.30pm
Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo (ITA) – Stade Poitevin Poitiers (FRA)
Live on Sportitalia 24
POOL E
Tuesday December 20 at 8.30pm
Lube Banca Marche Macerata (ITA) – Hypo Tirol Innsbruck (AUT)
Live on Sportitalia 2
Monza is facing the Cev Cup 8th of final second leg. In the first leg, the Italians overcame the Swiss team of Nafels and now Zanini’s team is ready play home to clinch its pass to the next round as it will be able to line up newcomer Facundo Conte, who made his debut in the Serie A1 on Sunday in the victory over San Giustino.
CEV Cup
8th of final return leg
Wednesday December 21 at 8pm
Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza (ITA) – Seat Volley Näfels (SUI)
Modena had no trouble to win the first leg of the Challenge Cup second round at home against the VC Strassen, Luxemburg. Martino And Bellei had stood out with 15 points each as the guests could not cope. They will try to use the court advantage to turn things around although Bagnoli’s men look pretty much superior.
2nd round return leg
Tuesday December 20 at 7.30pm
VC Strassen (LUX) – Casa Modena (ITA)
