2017 Champions League
First games of the new year coming up in the Champions League. Three-point winner this weekend in Vibo Valentia, Modena will take on its main follower in its group : the Romanian of Craiova, standing just one point behind. So far, Modena obtained a tie-break win over Ljubljana and a 3-1 road win over Belchatow.
Twenty-four hours later, Perugia will get down to business and they have a burning desire of taking revenge on the recent Italian Cup knock-out. They already bounced back in the league with a 3-0 win over Trento but no they will face another big one with the Russians of Belgorod. WHile Perugia is perfect and top so far, the Russians stands just one point behind as they had to fight for a long tie-break to have the better the Belgium side of Roeselare. This encounter promises to be a class act with Sergey Tetyukhin and Dmitriy Muserskiy, who got the gold in London’s Olympic Games, against the Italians Zaytsev, Birarellu and Buti.
Last but not least, the Italian league leaders, Civitanova, will try to make the breakthrough in Poland against Rzeszow. Shockingly defeated 3-0 in the opening game against Berlin away, Civitanova bounced back with a sweep over the Czechs of Liberec. Rzeszow is currently second of the Polish league behind Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle, coached by the Italian Fefè De Giorgi, who was also named coach of the Polish national team.
Champions League in Tv
Fox International Channels Italy, will broadcast all the games with Italian teams, while all the games are on streaming on www.laola1.tv
Standings
POOL A
Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle (POL) 6, Dinamo Moscow (RUS) 6, Noliko Maaseik (BEL) 0, Istanbul BBSK (TUR) 0
POOL B
Asseco Resovia Rzeszow (POL) 4, Berlin Recycling Volleys (GER) 4, Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) 3, Dukla Liberec (CZE) 1
POOL C
Zenit Kazan (RUS) 6, VfB Friedrichshafen (GER) 3, Arkas Izmir (TUR) 2, Paris Volley (FRA) 1
POOL D
Azimut Modena (ITA) 5, S.C.M. “U” Craiova (ROU) 4, ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) 3, PGE Skra Belchatow (POL) 0
POOL E
Sir Sicoma Colussi Perugia (ITA) 6, Belogorie Belgorod (RUS) 5, Knack Roeselare (BEL) 1, Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 0
Fixtures
CEV Champions League – Group phase round 3
Tuesday 17 January at 8.30pm
POOL D
Azimut Modena (ITA) – S.C.M. “U” Craiova (ROU) Diretta Fox Sports Plus (canale 205 del decoder Sky)
Wednesday 18 January at 8.30pm
POOL E
Sir Sicoma Colussi Perugia (ITA) – Belogorie Belgorod (RUS) Differed on Fox Sports Plus from 22.45
Thursday 19 January at 8.30pm
POOL B
Asseco Resovia Rzeszow (POL) – Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) Live on Sky Sport 3 HD
2017 CEV Cup
Trentino got off to a good start in its third CEV Cup campaign in history with a comfortable 3-0 road win over the Finnish side of Hurrikaani Loimaa in the 16th of finals first leg. Lorenzetti’s men built this win on some excellent serves and blocking. In the league, they lost to Perugia and let them the second place, but while they’re waiting for the Italian Cup final four, they will have the opportunity in Europe to play for qualification in the 8th of finals on home soil.
Eighth of finals in sight too for Piacenza. Having knocked out the Byelorussians of Minsk in the 32nd of finals, Zlatanov and co then inflicted a 3-0 to Innsbruck at home with its full pack of aces and blocks. Now, Giuliani’s men will have to maintain their focus following their Italian cup breakthrough in Perugia as they earn the right to face Civitanova in the semi-finals. They will need two sets to advance in Europe.
16th of finals return leg
Wednesday 18 January at 7pm
Hypo Tirol Innsbruck (AUT) – LPR Piacenza (ITA)
Wednesday 18 January at 8.30pm
Diatec Trentino (ITA) – Hurrikaani Loima (FIN)
