Benfica won the Challenge Cup semi-final first leg in Verona. The Portuguese clinched it at the tie-break. In order to qualify for the final, Verona will now need a 3-0 or 3-1 victory in Portugal. A tie-break would lead to a Golden Set. Tonight in the tie-break, Anzani’s block had put Verona 7-5 ahead. But Soares’s blocks (on Starovic and Anzani) tied it at 9. The visitors then escaped from 10 all to win it 15-12.
CALZEDONIA VERONA – BENFICA LISBOA 2-3 (25-18, 24-26, 16-25, 25-21, 12-15) CALZEDONIA VERONA : Zingel 10, Kovacevic 12, Pesaresi (L), Gitto, Lecat 2, Spirito, Baranowicz 3, Starovic 17, Bellei 1, Sander 20, Anzani 10. DNP Bucko. Coach. Giani.
BENFICA LISBOA : Bertassoni 1, Duff 10, Reis Lopes 2, Silva Reis 11, Gelinski, Casas (L), Lucas Gaspar 11, Oliveira 1, Kolev 15, Llanes Diaz 1, Soares 20. DNP Van Werkhoven. Coach. Jardim.
