European cups 2014-2015
Four of the five Italians are due to play in European cups this week in the Champions League and the CEV Cup.
2015 CEV DenizBank Champions League
Piacenza is going through to difficult spell. It conceded three defeats in a row in the Champions League and Italian league. In their last encounter, Zlatanov and co gave it a good fight against Modena but were swept 3-0. Still, despite the loss there were some encouraging signs before the meeting against Knack Roeselare, who is top of the group thanks to its win over Lugano, as well as top of the Belgium league with maximum points after 6 games. Piacenza will try to bounce back from a disappointing opening game against Constanta.
Perugia will play its first ever road game in the competition on Wednesday. They will be in France to take on Tours, led by Oleg Antonov and Jean-François Exiga. Grbic’s men are working on all cylinders right now in the league after two opening defeats, while they registered a thrilling victory over Ankara in the Champions League.
On Thursday, it will be Treia’s turn to get on court. The SuperLega joint leaders with Modena will make their home debut in the competition against the French vice-champion and Challenge Cup winner 2014: Paris Volley. Currently second in the league, the transalpine team began with a severe defeat in the Champions League against the Russians of Belogorie Belgorod. Treia lost too, beaten by Fenerbahce at the tie-break. Jiri Kovar was rested last Sunday because of a knee injury, he is doubtful.
The Champions League on TV
All the games are on streaming on www.laola1.tv
Standings after the first round:
POOL A
Knack Roeselare (BEL) 3, Tomis Constanta (ROU) 2, Copra Piacenza (ITA) 1, Dragons Lugano (SUI) 0
POOL B
Jastrzebski Wegiel (POL), Lokomotiv Novosibirsk (RUS) 3, Cai Teruel (ESP), Marek Union-Ivkoni Dupnitsa (BUL) 0
POOL C
Asseco Resovia Rzeszow (POL), Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) 3, Budvanska Rivijera Budva (MNE), ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) 0
POOL D
Zenit Kazan (RUS), Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE) 3, VfB Friedrichshafen (GER), Posojilnica Aich/Dob (AUT) 0
POOL E
Belogorie Belgorod (RUS) 3, Fenerbahce SK. Istanbul (TUR) 2, Cucine Lube Treia (ITA) 1, Paris Volley (FRA) 0
POOL F
Precura Antwerp (BEL), PGE Skra Belchatow (POL) 3, Hypo Tirol Innsbruck (AUT), Jihostroj Ceske Budejovice (CZE) 0
POOL G
Sir Safety Perugia (ITA) 3, Noliko Maaseik (BEL) 2, Tours VB (FRA) 1, Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 0
Fixtures
2015 CEV Champions League – Round 2
POOL A
Tuesday November 18 at 8.30pm
Knack Roeselare (BEL) – Copra Piacenza (ITA) Live on Fox Sports 2 HD
(Isajlovic-Marenc)
Wednesday November 19 at 8.30pm
Tours VB (FRA) – Sir Safety Perugia (ITA) Live on Fox Sports 2 HD
(Lungu-Simonovska)
Thursday November 20 at 8.30pm
Cucine Lube Treia (ITA) – Paris Volley (FRA) Differed on Fox Sports 2 HD at 11pm
(Grieder-Herbik)
2015 CEV Cup
Trentino only needs to take two sets to go through thanks to its 3-1 victory over the Serbians of Novi Sad in the first leg. If Stoytchev’s men qualify, they will take on the winner of Maccabi Tel Aviv vs OK Mladost Brcko in the next round. They are on a good run with 3 straight victories over Milan, Novi Sad and Ravenna.
16th of finals return leg
Wednesday November 19 at 8.30pm
Energy T.I. Diatec Trentino (ITA) – Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad (SRB)
(Lecourt-Van Zanten)
