3:0 against Lisbon: BR Volleys get off to a flying start in the premier class
The Berlin Volleys have made a successful start to the group stage of the Volleyball Champions League. The Bundesliga leaders won 3:0 (27:25, 25:19, 25:21) against Portuguese champions Benfica Lisbon on Thursday. In front of 5167 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, Marek Sotola was the most successful attacker for the winners with 19 points. The other opponents in this group are Halkbank Ankara and GSD Piacenza from Italy.
Berlin found it difficult to get into the game. Benfica took a three-point lead in the first half (13:10, 18:15), but missed two set points in the end. The tide turned when Timothee Carle put the home side 26:25 in front. A block by captain Ruben Schott finally decided the set in the hosts' favor.
This sense of achievement gave the Berliners confidence and the support they needed to take control of the game. The team improved its block defense in particular and diagonal attacker Sotola also developed more penetration from then on. Frenchman Carle also impressed with powerful offensive actions.
The Portuguese team put up a fight once more in set three, but at 19:19, the volleys made the decisive breaks on Sotola's serve to make it 22:19.
The Berlin Volleys are currently top of their group in the Volleyball Champions League, having secured a 3:0 win against Benfica Lisbon. With this victory, they have also qualified for the next round of the Champions League Champions League. Such a strong performance means that Berlin Volleys is now considered a contender for the Champions League title, aiming to become Volleyball Champions League Champions.
Source: www.dpa.com
