Halkbank-vs-Friedrichshafen
The German runners-up VfB Friedrichshafen outplayed Turkish titleholders Halkbank Ankara by a 3-1 (25-14, 25-21, 24-26, 25-19) in Pool B to finish the group stage of the 2018 CEV Champions League unbeaten – 6 of 6. It was the 30th game of the “Häfler” this season and they won them all! The game was of no importance for the placement in the pool or in regard to progressing to the Playoffs 12 as both sides have achieved this earlier, Friedrichshafen as No.1 (6-0; 17 points) and Halkbank as No.2 (3-3; 9 points).
Friedrichshafen coach Vital Heynen combined some options, giving the chance to backups, the Slovakian Tomáš Kocian and Daniel Malescha, instead of Simon Tischer and Pole Bartłomiej Bołądź in the second and the third set. David Sossenheimer was not signed up for the match due to an injury. Also, Halkbank coach Slobodan Kovač put a 17-year-old Berkün Eber Üstündağ in the fire from the start to the end of the game as Cuban Raydel Hierrezuelo was unable to play. Interestingly, there were no double-digit players in any of the teams with nine players making it to the score-sheet on each side.
In Pool D, the defending champions Zenit Kazan also concluded the group stage with 6 of 6 (18 points) after sweeping the last-placed Spacer’s Toulouse VB from France (0-6; 1 point) by a 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-17). Zenit coach Vladimir Alekno gave the chance to 13 of 14 players signed up for the match. The Cuban Wilfredo León topped the Russian side with 10 points, while there were no players in Toulouse who made double digits.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our CEV Volleyball Champions League 2017/2018 / Male / Seniors page.
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