Igor Gorgonzola Novara and Vasas Óbuda Budapest have booked their places in the CEV Cup semifinals, overcoming their respective opponents in decisive matches. Novara dominated Maritza Plovdiv with a straight-set victory, while Vasas Óbuda advanced despite a dramatic five-set loss to Moya Radomka Radom.
Novara Sweeps Plovdiv to Reach Semifinals
Novara delivered a flawless performance in Bulgaria, defeating Maritza Plovdiv 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-14) to advance to the next stage. After winning the first leg with the same scoreline, the Italian side left no room for surprises. Taylor Mims led the charge with 16 points and 4 aces, supported by Alsmeier, Ishikawa, and Bonifacio.
Head coach Lorenzo Bernardi praised his team’s focus:
“Our goal was to close the match quickly, and we did it despite a hectic travel schedule. Now, we shift focus to our league games before the semifinals.”
Novara will face the winner of THY Istanbul vs. Bielsko-Biała in the CEV Cup semifinals in early March.
Vasas Óbuda Advances After Thriller Against Radomka Radom
In a high-intensity battle, Vasas Óbuda Budapest secured a semifinal spot despite losing 3-2 (15-25, 22-25, 27-25, 31-29, 12-15) to Moya Radomka Radom. After falling behind in the first two sets, Vasas staged a remarkable comeback, winning two marathon sets before Radomka clinched the match in a tiebreaker.
Despite the loss, Vasas progressed thanks to their first-leg victory, proving their resilience under pressure. The Hungarian side now awaits its semifinal opponent as the CEV Cup competition heats up.
CEV Cup Semifinals: What’s Next?
With Novara and Vasas Óbuda securing their spots, the semifinal lineup is nearly set. Novara will face either THY Istanbul or Bielsko-Biała, while Vasas Óbuda awaits their next challenge against CS Alba Blaj or FC Porto. The first-leg matches are scheduled between March 4-6, with return legs the following week.
Match Results:
✅ Maritza Plovdiv – Igor Gorgonzola Novara 0-3 (21-25, 19-25, 14-25)
✅ Moya Radomka Radom – Vasas Óbuda Budapest 3-2 (25-15, 25-22, 25-27, 29-31, 15-12)
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