A series of third tour team matches was held yesterday in Champions league, SE-Internet correspondent Vladimir PESNYA reports. Two Ekaterinburg clubs - men UEM-Izumrud and women Uralochka - played two successful matches. Having lost two matches Izumrud managed to show bright and powerful volleyball now. It played against Paris Volley club, League-2000/2001 winner, which is not in its best form this time. Nevertheless the first game was a disaster again - 17:25. Only in the second set Ekaterinburg team managed to improve its block game, which they are famous for in Russian championship. This inspired Russians, and they won the third set - 25:20. French team tried hard and managed to even the set score, but during the short fifth game Izumrud players avenged the opponents, Paris Volley was doomed - 15:6! This victory gives Izumrud a chance to enter the play-off. |
Belgium, Group A: Noliko (Belgium) and Iraklis (Greece). |
Uralochka played against Dames (Spain). Russian champions won two sets easily, thus accounting successive sets won in League-2000/2001 to eight. Uralochka allowed the opponents to gain only 14 points, losing the third set but defeating the opponents in the fourth. |
Third tour is coming to the end today with two matches in men groups B and C. Next matches in Champions' league will be held next year. |
Vladimir PESNYA |
Champions league |
Men |
Group A |
Paris Volley (France) - UEM-Izumrud (RUSSIA) - 2:3 (25:17, 26:28, 20:25, 25:22, 6:15) |
Group C |
Damesa (Spain) - Uralochka (RUSSIA) - 1:3 (17:25, 20:25, 25:23, 14:25) |