Spain’s Guaguas Las Palmas moved within two sets of the CEV Champions League men’s quarterfinals after defeating France’s Montpellier HSC VB 3–1.
Playing in front of about 2,800 fans at home, the Spanish champions won 25–15, 23–25, 25–17, 25–22 to take control of the playoff tie ahead of next week’s return leg in France.
Francisco Wallyson Bezerra Souza led Guaguas with 18 points, while four players from the Spanish side finished in double figures. Montpellier’s Simon Hirsch was the match’s top scorer with 21 points.
Guaguas held small advantages in blocks (7–6) and aces (5–3), but Montpellier’s 32 unforced errors, compared with 18 by the hosts, proved decisive.
The French club will need a strong result at home to force a Golden Set and keep its Champions League run alive. The winner of the tie will face defending champions Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia in the quarterfinals.