Monza hosted, for the very first time in its history the CEV Champions League, where the locals beat the current top team of France in the second match of the group stage (Pool B) of the tournament.
Monza, that had lost their first match of the tournament against the Turkish champions VakifBank by 3-1 last 24th of November in Turkey, got vindicated today. Gaspari’s team was looking for their first victory in the competition by challenging the French team coached by the Italian Francois Salvagni. Coming from a positive winning streak in the Italian league where they have obtained five consecutive wins (Scandicci, Rome, Casalmaggiore, Cuneo and Firenze), the rosablù give continuity to their good moment.
But today wasn’t an easy task on the other side of the court there was ASPTT Mulhouse, the current leader of the French Championship. Slavagni’s team, had won their first match against the Finnish LP Salo at home in a comeback 3-1, and today they showed a good performance at the beginning of the match but Monza did not allow them to do much.
The local team started strong and confident and showed fantastic attacking skills (52% proficiency) and an excellent block display (9 points), they struggled on reception but improved throughout the match. While the French team suffered a lot in the attack with an overall of 25% proficiency the top scorers of the away team were Drewniok and Haak both with 6 points. Monza’s top scorer and MVP of the match was Belarusian youngster Hanna Davyskiba with 17 points. Pool B is one to keep an eye on where all of the teams are fighting for a spot on the next phase of the Champions League.
Vero Volley Monza vs ASPTT Mulhouse 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-12)
FULL SQUAD– VERO VOLLEY MONZA
Setters: Alessia Orro (2), Jennifer Boldini
Middle-Blockers: Anna Danesi (11), Katerina Zakchaiou (1), Sonia Candi (5), Gaia Moretto
Spikers: Katarina Lazovic (1) , Magdalena Stysiak (6), Alessia Gennari, Lise Van Hecke (13), Anna Davyskiba (17), Brankica Mihajlovic
Libero: Beatrice Parrocchiale, Beatrice Negretti
Coach: Marco Gaspari
FULL SQUAD– ASPTT Mulhouse VB
Setters: Megan Viggars (1), Pia Kastner (1)
Middle-Blockers: Silke Van Avermaet (4), Georgia Lamprousi , Leandra Olinga-Andela (2)
Spikers: Ivana Vanjak (2), Kimberly Drewniok (6), Jelena Novakovic, Anna Haak (6), Amanda Coneo (4)
Libero: Manon Jaegy, Lea Soldner
Coach: Francois Salvagni
Standings of the CEV Champions League here.
AUTHOR: Lucia M. Lecouna
Sports Data Scout and Journalist
A former student of Communication and Media at the IULM University, sports journalist that focuses on Football, Volleyball and Basketball.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-l-914710139
Contact mail: lulile(at)gmail.com