25-MARCH-2013
PORTUGUESE AROUND EUROPE
 

With an 8-3 difference between wins and losses, one might say that this was a positive weekend for the Portuguese playing in Europe. Aich/Dob (Austria), Murcia (Spain), Tours (France), Chênois (Switzerland), Friedrichshafen, Wiwa e Bottrop (Germany) were this weekend’s victors.

Valdir Sequeira’s SK Posojilnica Aich/Dob started well the AVL Playoff Semi-Finals by downing VC Amstetten Hypo NO in three sets (3-0: 25-23, 25-21 e 25-22).
The Portuguese opposite recorded 10 points in this match. The next fixtures are scheduled to March 26 and 31.

“Sports have great moments as well as disappointment” stated Portugal’s National Team Head Coach, Flavio Gulinelli after being eliminated from the Serie A1 Playoffs.
BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte, of Alexandre and Marco Ferreira, lost the third game to Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia by 1-3 (25-21, 22-25, 23-25 e 23-25), as Alex Ferreira recorded 13 points and his brother is still recovering from an injury. Even though the season is now over for Castellana, the team was surprisingly qualified for the Playoffs, in its Serie A1 debut year.

Núria Silva and Bonémia Gomes’ UCAM Vóley Murcia cruised past AD Pinguela (3-0: 25-17, 25-20 e 25-19) and was ranked 3rd in the Spanish League regular stage. Núria was accounted for 15 points, thus being chosen to integrate the “team of the week”, while Bonémia posted 3 points, despite the few minutes played. Murcia is to play Nuchar Tramek Murillo at the Semi-Finals which starts March 29.

In France, Nuno Pinheiro’s Tours VB beat 2nd ranked Sète by 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-17 e 25-19) and continues to stand alone atop, as the Portuguese setter recorded 6 points.
On March 30, Tours and Toulouse will battle at the Cup of France Final, while on April 3, the French champions will take on Rennes(8th) which defeated André Lopes’ Chaumont (3-1: 21-25, 25-15, 27-25 e 27-25).

Tiago Violas’ Jastrzebski Wegiel SA lost to Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle (1-3: 25-15, 23-25, 22-25 e 20-25), being the series now tied (1-1), as Wegiel prepares to take on its opponent in two away matches, for the PlusLiga Semi-Finals.

In Germany, João José’s VFB Friedrichshafen beat once again Evivo Duren (3-0: 25-19, 25-20 e 25-18) and qualified for the Bundesliga 1 Semi-Finals, where it will face Generali Haching from April 3.
On its turn, Marcel Gil’s RWE Volleys Bottrop still leads Bundesliga 2 North, after beating VI Frankfurt (3-0: 25-9, 25-10 e 25-22) and TSV Giesen/48 Hildesheim (3-0: 25-23, 25-9 e 25-21).
For a full winning round at Germany, Tânia Duarte’s VG Wiwa Hamburg defeated VC Parchim (3-1) and ended the Germany’s Regional North – Women regular stage in the 5th place.

In Switzerland, Rui Santos’ Chênois Volleyball Club is ranked 6th in the Swiss Playoffs, despite its victory over Volley Amriswil I (2nd) by 3-2: (16-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13).

Norwegian Stod Volley Steinkjer, coached by André Sá, which granted the 2nd rank and is still in the hunt for the Elite Division leadership, will host in the two upcoming rounds (April 6-7), Koll (6th) and Oslo Volley, current competition leader.

More info: www.legavolley.it / www.lnv.fr / www.poitiers-volley.com / www.volley.asso.fr / www.volleyball-bundesliga.de / www.vfb-volleyball.de / www.chenoisvolley.ch / www.stodvolley.no / www.cvb52.com / www.rwe-volleys-bottrop.de / www.toursvolleyball.com / www.newmatervolley.it / www.rfevb.com / www.voleymurcia.es / www.cev.lu / www.volleynet.at