Ford Levoranta Sastamala (more commonly known as VaLePa) advanced to the 3rd qualifying round of the 2023 CEV Men’s Volleyball Champions League.
In the rematch of the 2nd qualifying round of the CEV Champions League Volley 2023 | Men, Finland’s VaLePa had to overcome a defeat from the first leg to Austria’s SK Zadruga Aich/Dob of 2-3. VaLePa won their home match 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23) and progressed to the 3rd and last qualifying round, where they will meet Portugal’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Last season, VaLePa lost twice to this rival.
Antti Sakari Mäkinen top-scored on the winning side today with 22 points, while Severi Savonsalmi made 7 blocks. The Estonian outside hitter, Karli Allik, had a 74% attack (14/19). The Greek opposite, Anastasios-Stamatios Aspiotis scored 25 points for Zadruga. The Estonian international, Stefan Kaibald, made 70% reception (10 digs, 30% excellent).
Croatia’s Mladost Zagreb swept Switzerland’s Lindaren Volley Amriswil in the rematch at home by which they annulled a 3-1 win by their rivals from the first leg. The Golde Set followed, and in it, the team from the Croatian capital prevailed 15-8.
Ivan Zeljković tallied 18 points and had 83% reception (18 digs, 61% excellent) for Mladost, while the Austrian opposite, Clemens Ecker, served 4 aces. The Frenchman Jhon Wendt scored 12 points for Amriswil. Mladost will play against Bulgaria’s Hebar Pazardzhik for a place on the group stage.
CEV Champions League Volley 2023 | Men – qualifications, 3rd Round, 2nd leg:
