Noliko-Teruel
In the men’s competition 10 teams have got a perfect record after two legs having scored very convincing wins thereby bringing home six points to top the charts of their respective Pools.
Russia’s Zenit KAZAN and Lokomotiv NOVOSIBIRSK (in Pool A and B respectively), Italy’s TRENTINO Diatec and Poland’s Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE (Pool C), Lube Banca Marche MACERATA (ITA, Pool D), Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS) and Poland’s PGE Skra BELCHATOW (Pool E), plus Noliko MAASEIK of Belgium ( see picture, Pool F), Italy’s Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO and Asseco Resovia RZESZOW of Poland in Pool G have all easily disposed of their opponents, thereby asserting their intention to make it to the Playoffs and from there also to the final stage of the competition. The coming rounds of play – with leg 3 already scheduled for next week – will clarify a little more the situation in the various groups where a tough battle is expected since with the extension of the starting field only the first-ranked teams are totally sure to book their spot for the Playoffs.
In the women’s competition the only major sensation was produced by SCHWERINER SC as the side from Germany stamped a memorable 3:2 home win in the first round of play to edge last year’s bronze medalists of Dinamo KAZAN. Turkey seems to be the major force to reckon with as Eczacibasi VitrA, Vakifbank and rookie Galatasaray Daikin are all sitting on top of their Pools with six points after two rounds of play. A similar performance was recorded by Rabita BAKU, with the silver medalists from the 2012 FIVB Club World Championship topping the table in Pool B while two “outsiders”, namely 2004 Tomis CONSTANTA and another debutant, i.e. Lokomotiv BAKU, are setting the pace in Pool E and F respectively. The battle for the Playoffs will continue next week with leg 3 and provide a first scenario – halfway through the League Round – about the teams most likely to make it to the knockout stage.
For more volleyball news from the Champions League – Men click here
For more volleyball news from the Champions League – Women click here
