Guaguas Las Palmas secured a place in the CEV Champions League men’s quarterfinals despite falling 3–2 to Montpellier HSC VB, earning the two sets needed to advance after their 3–1 victory in the first leg.
Montpellier opened the match strongly and claimed the first set 25–22, but Guaguas responded in the second behind veteran star Osmany Juantorena to level the score. The French side regained the lead with a 25–19 win in the third set, forcing the Spanish club to fight for the decisive set required to qualify.
Guaguas delivered in the fourth. Led by Francisco Wallysson Bezerra Souza and Juantorena, the visitors edged a tense finish 25–22 to secure progression to the quarterfinals for the second time in club history.
Although qualification had already been decided, Montpellier went on to win the tie-break 15–11 to take the match.
Wallysson and Montpellier opposite Simon Hirsch finished as the top scorers with 21 points each. Guaguas setter Miguel Ángel De Amo was named MVP.
Result: Montpellier HSC VB (FRA) def. Guaguas Las Palmas (ESP) 3–2 (25–22, 20–25, 25–19, 22–25, 15–11)
Guaguas Las Palmas will face Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia in the quarterfinals.
