FC Porto took a strong first-leg lead in the CEV Champions League women’s third qualifying round, beating Belgian champions Asterix Avo Beveren 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 27-25, 25-22) at Dragão Arena.
Asterix seized the opener 25-19 behind a solid block and Porto serve errors. The Portuguese champions answered with a dominant 25-14 second set, then edged third 27-25 before completing the comeback 25-22 in the fourth after Asterix had opened with a clear early lead. Kelsey Veltman led Porto with 21 points. Caylen Alexander and Saška Đurović were also among the hosts’ key contributors (Alexander 16, Đurović 15 pts). Lotte Wiegerinck topped Asterix with 15. The return leg is Wednesday, 11 November in Belgium: the winner advances to CEV CHampions League Volley Pool A with VakıfBank, Uni Opole and Mulhouse; the loser drops into the CEV Cup.
