Having performed very well, the men's volleyball team made an ideal start at this year's European journey, winning Shakhtior Soligorsk with 3-0 for the ‘’32’’ of the CEV Cup. The ‘’Reds’’ were better in the whole game making the first step for the qualification to the next round as need just two sets in the rematch in Belarus on Wednesday (5/12). 

Key action: 

Olympiacos started the game well leading with 8-5 and 16-12 and Schmitt boosted the margin to 22-15. Fragkos gained a point by a block-out and a block by Schmitt gave the first team to the ‘’Reds’’. The second set was more balanced in the first points with Olympiacos leading with 7-6. The ‘’Legend’’ improved the performance and went ahead with 16-11 with Shaktior being unable to stop the rhythm. Olympiacos raised the margin to nine points and finally, took it with 25-15. Shakhtior led with 11-9 in the third set but the ‘’Reds’’ reacted and overturned the score with Tervaportti and Schmitt. Rauwerdink did 23-21 and Bohme scored for 24-21 giving a set ball, match-ball to Olympiacos. Schmitt formed 25-22 and the ‘’Reds’’ won the first game with 3-0. Schmitt was the top scorer with 17 points, Bohme added 14 and Fragkos had 12. 

Key data: 

The sets: 3-0: 25-16 (21΄), 25-15 (20΄), 25-22 (26')

1st set: 8-5, 16-12, 21-15, 25-16

2nd set: 8-6, 16-11, 21-13, 25-15

3rd set: 6-8, 16-13, 21-18, 25-22

Olympiacos (Fernando Munoz Benitez): Bohme 14, Andreadis 5, Fragkos 12, Schmitt 17, Tervaportti 3, Rauwerdink 7, Stefanou (L), Daridis (L), Zoupani 1, Stivachtis, Koumentakis

Shakhtior Soligorsk (Beksha): Shmat 4, Antanovich 4, Voinau 3, Tevkun 11, Khmialeuski 3, Kurash 2, Budziukhin (L), Martynau, Shkliar, Makinen 2, Pratasenia, Kosach

Statements: 

The Head Coach, Fernando Munoz Benitez, stated at olympiacossfp.gr: "I'm happy with the performance of my players. We played with more pressure than the rest of the games and we had control over the match. The Belarusian team raised its performance at some points, but we showed attention and did the victory. It was a good game for us. In the second match, surely Shakhtior's performance will be better, especially at the serve, where we know it’s their strong point’’.

Gavin Schmitt underpinned: "We are very pleased with the victory. We won with 3-0, a result that gives us an advantage for the rematch, where we want two sets to qualify to the next round. We played very well today and want to be better and better in every game. It's always great to play in front of our world and thank them for the support''.