After delivering a very strong performance, which speaks for their potential, Olympiacos PIRAEUS beat TOURS VB 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-23) at the Rentis “M. Merkouri” sports hall in the first game between these two teams scheduled for the 16th Finals of the 2018 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup-Men. The “Reds” achieved a high standard of performance against a very good and qualitative team of the highly competitive French national league and claimed an edge in the race for qualification to the next stage of the competition. The re-match will take place on December 19 in France, and Olympiacos need to take two sets to secure their progression to the next round.

Key actions: 

Olympiacos kept the game under control and was ahead with a margin of 4 points (11-7). However, Tours reacted and got the lead before the second technical timeout (14-16). The two teams kept going point by point until 24-24 and then Olympiacos achieved two winning points and beat the first set (26-24). 

The points of Oivonen gave the lead to Olympiacos before the first and second technical timeouts (8-7, 16-15). Tours got a 18-20 lead but the points of Drzyzga and Bohme made the difference down the stretch and Olympiacos won the second set (25-21).

In the third set, Olympiacos kept the control and had the advantage (8-7). The Reds widened the difference to three points (10-7) but Tours tied 11-11. The French team run a 4-0 and led 18-21 but then, Olympiacos reacted and tied the score (21-21). The block-out of Rauwerdink sealed the win for Olympiacos. 

Match stats: 

The sets: 3-0: 26-24 (36'), 25-21 (27'), 25-23 (30')

1st set: 8-6, 15-16, 20-21, 26-24

2nd set: 8-7, 16-15, 21-20, 25-21

3rd set: 8-7, 14-16, 18-21, 25-23

Statistics: 

Olympiacos (Munoz Benitez Fernando): Oivanen 14 (10/21 attacks, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Petreas 4 (2/5 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Bohme 9 (6/9 attacks, 3 blocks), Drzyzga 1 (1/2 attacks), Aleksiev 12 (10/19 attacks, 2 blocks, 50% pos-31% exc.), Rauwerdink 12 (11/21 attacks, 1 block, 54% pos-31% exc.), Stefanou (L, 62% pos-46% exc.), Daridis (L), Christofidelis (33% pos-33% exc.), Zoupani 1 (1 block), Stivachtis

Tours (Cedric Enard): Hernan, Gotsev 4 (2/7 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Stern 13 (13/23 attacks, 55% pos-9% exc.), Egleskalns 19 (18/41 attacks, 1 ace), Diefenbach 7 (5/9 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Wounembaina 4 (4/8 attacks, 73% pos-64 exc.), Henno (L, 54% pos-31% exc.), Nevot, Jouffroy, Reichert 7 (7/13 attacks, 53% pos- 20% exc.), Rabiller

Quotes: 

Benitez said: ‘’First of all, I am satisfied as we had a good game. The tonight match wasn’t easy against a strong team with experience in European competitions. It is a team that doesn’t do mistakes and so, I am very happy for our concentration and the win. In the last points of the sets, we were calm, concentrated to our plan and that was the key for the victory. It was our best game but we have to continue in the same tempo in next games. 

Oivanen mentioned: ‘’We knew that it was an important game in our home. We did it but we have to play in the next game well so as to qualify. We had some problems in the defence and the services but generally we had a good performance.’’ 

Stefanou stated: ‘’We did an excellent game after two bad performances in the last weeks. The final score doesn’t prove the strength of the game. It was a great victory against a tough opponent. And we have an advantage for the qualification. We need two sets to qualify to the next round and we have time to prepare for the second game.’’