AICH/DOB back on track after dispatching Final Four hosts WALDVIERTEL

In the men’s MEVZA League, Austria’s reigning national champions SK Zadruga AICH/DOB left no Chance to their compatriots and Final Four tournament hosts Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL, claiming a quite compelling 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-18) away win at the Zwettl City hall on Saturday night.

The fourth victory took AICH/DOB to the third spot of the current standing on 13 points. “I am happy that we were able to hone our skills in the past days. The team showed a solid performance, we made less mistakes than our opponents did and we never lost focus. That was the main key to emerge victorious today. With those very important three points we are back on track in the battle for a Final Four spot. We are looking forward to the upcoming challenges in the CEV Cup and MEVZA League”, AICH/DOB Sports Director Martin Micheu said.

PHOTO © Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL

Second-placed Calcit Volley KAMNIK (SLO) paid back bottom of the table Mladost BRCKO (BIH) for a surprising away loss a month ago. The hosts secured a convincing 3-1 (25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 25-23) win. Therefore, they closed the gap to competition leaders and defending champions ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) to two points. Both Slovenian sides have already contested nine out of 14 main round matches. “Our guests started the game in a somewhat unusual line-up and it was only in the third set that all of their top players were on court. But we will have to think hard about why we always experience such a drop in our performance in the third set. However, in the end the three points are the most important thing”, Marko Brumen, Calcit Volley’s head coach said. Mladost BRCKO’s coach Branko Misic explained: “It took us some time to adapt to such a low ceiling. In the first two sets, we did not believe in ourselves, but then it was too late to come back, because it is difficult to win three sets in a row against such an experienced team like Calcit Volley.”

PHOTO © Calcit Volley KAMNIK

On Saturday, Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) came from two sets down to edge hosts Mladost Ribola KASTELA (CRO) 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26, 15-7 in another MEVZA League derby. Thus, Croatia’s champions drew level with Mladost Ribola and are in hot pursuit of third-placed AICH/DOB!

Mladost ZAGREB – PHOTO © CEV

MARIBOR continue impressive dominance

Women’s competition leaders Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) extended their winning streak to impressive seven games in a row, celebrating a clean sweep (25-20, 25-23, 25-22) of Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) on home soil on Saturday evening. GEN-I Volley NOVA GORICA, on the other hand, needed four sets to overcome their Slovenian compatriots Calcit Volley KAMNIK 25-17, 21-25, 25-13, 25-18. As a result, the Final Four tournament hosts moved up to second place, tied with Calcit Volley and six points behind Nova KBM Branik but with a game in hand. On Sunday afternoon, bottom of the table UOK Banjaluka Voley BANJA LUKA (BIH) secured their maiden win in their very first MEVZA League campaign, cruising to a straight-set (25-9, 28-26, 25-19) home victory over OK KAŠTELA (CRO).

PHOTO © OK NOVA KBM BRANIK MARIBOR

Women’s MEVZA League

07.12.: Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) vs. HAOK Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-22)
07.12.: GEN-I Volley NOVA GORICA (SLO) vs. Calcit Volley KAMNIK (SLO) 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-13, 25-18)
08.12.: UOK Banjaluka Volley BANJA LUKA (BIH) vs. HOK KASTELA (CRO) 3:0 (25-9, 28-26, 25-19)

Men’s MEVZA League

07.12.: OK Mladost Ribola KASTELA (CRO) vs. HAOK Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) 2-3 (25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 26-28, 7-15)
07.12.: Union Raiffeisen WALDVIERTEL (AUT) vs. SK Zadruga AICH/DOB (AUT) 0-3 (19-25, 20-25, 18-25)
07.12.: Calcit Volley KAMNIK (SLO) vs. OK Mladost BRCKO (BIH) 3-1 (25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 25-23)

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