12-NOVEMBER-2012
AJF BASTARDO FACES
TOMORROW THE HURRICANE
 

Men’s team of Associação de Jovens da Fonte do Bastardo will host tomorrow (20h30 – Azores time), the Finish team Hurrikaani Loimaa (Hurricane of Loimaa in English) for the CEV Challenge Cup – 2nd round of qualification – first leg. The match will take place at the Vitorino Nemésio Sports Complex, in the Terceira Island.

“Play the first leg at home turns out to be a disadvantage sometimes, due to the possible Golden Set, as last season we’re eliminated that way. Nevertheless, I believe that will be two very balanced matches, once Hurrikaani is a strong team with several international players”, recognizes Alexandre Afonso, AJFB Head Coach.

"We’ve been improving our game. I’m pleased with the team despite having 50% of new players this season. They are progressing well and adapting to the older players, and, in some cases, even to the Portuguese Championship. We don’t want to rush anything. The Championship is long and it is our main goal to conquer it. The club has also the objective of continue to compete in the international competitions, but we are aware of our limits. Favorites on winning the Championship? AJ Fonte Bastardo, SL Benfica and SC Espinho, which hasn’t began this season so well but are yet in time to show their real value”, added coach Afonso.

The second leg is scheduled for November 22 in Loimaa (Finland). The winner of this round will meet the winner of the match Tilburg STV (The Netherlands)-Dukla liberec (Czech Rep.) in the round of 32.

Also for the CEV Challenge Cup qualifying second round but for women, Norwegian Stod Volley, coached by André Sá, will play Obuda Vasas Budapest on November 14.

For the CEV Champions League 3rd game week, João José’s VFB Friedrichshafen (3rd) will play away with the Belgium team Knack Roeselare (2nd), in pool A, on November 14, while for pool C, Nuno Pinheiro’s Tours VC (3rd) will visit Belgrad Red Star on day earlier.

Tiago Violas Jastrzebski Wegiel SA will play in Turkey against Maliye Milli Pyango Ankara, on November 14, for the Round of 16 – first leg of CEV Cup.

Regarding Portuguese referees which will be present in CEV’s competitions:

Men CEV Champions League
Hélio Ormonde – Knack Roeselare (Belgium)-Zenit Kazan (Russia), Pool A, December 12.
Avelino Azevedo – Arago de Sete (France)-Remat Zalan (Romania), Pool G, November 15.

Women CEV Champions League
Avelino Azevedo – Robur Tiboni Urbino (Italy)-Dinamo Kazan (Russia), Pool E, December 4.
Hélio Ormonde – RC Cannes (France)-Vakifbank Istanbul (Turkey), Pool A, November 21.

Women CEV Cup
Ricardo Ferreira – Volley Koniz (Switzerland)-Stiinta Bacau (Romania), Round of 16, November 14.

Women CEV Challenge Cup
Lídio Ferreira – Peelpush Meijel (The Netherlands)-CSM Targu Mures (Romania), Qualifying 2nd round, November 15.
António Sobral – VC Oudegem (Belgium)-CSM Bucuresti (Romania), Qualifying 2nd round, November 15.
Vítor Gonçalves – Universal Modena (Italy)-Nova Branik Maribor (Slovenia), CEV Cup, Round of 32, date to be announced.

More info: www.cev.lu