22-NOVEMBER-2012
CHALLENGE CUP:  HURRICANE WAS STRONGER
 
 

The Finish Hurrikaani-Loimaa qualified for the CEV Challenge Cup round of 32 after beating the Portuguese Associação de Jovens da Fonte do Bastardo by 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 32-34 e 25-20), in the second leg match played in Loimaa, Finland.

In the first leg match, which took place at Vitorino Nemésio Sports Complex, Azores, the Portuguese lost by 2-3 (25-22, 23-25, 13-25, 25-17 e 9-15).

Hurrikaani-Loimaa – AJF Bastardo, 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 32-34 e 25-20)

In the opening set, AJF Bastardo was winning by 23-20 but did not managed to hold the lead and the Finish reaction, which fought their way back, registering 5 consecutive points to seal the set (25-23).

In the second set, the Azorean side was most of the time in disadvantage, entering the critical stage of the set in an uncomfortable position (21-24), thus losing it naturally by 22-25.

Hurrikaani started out strongly going up (12:8) and then (19-15), but the visitors fought their way back to level at (20-20). From this point the set was played point for point, but then it was sealed by AJ Fonte Bastardo (34-32).

However a “true hurricane” entered in the fourth set, going up (3-1, 6-3 and 9-4) with the final outcome never to be questioned. The set was sealed at 25-20 and for the books, the result was 3-1 to Hurrikaani-Loimaa, hence qualifying for the next round of the competition, where it will meet Mladost Marina Kastela (Croatia).

More info: www.cev.lu