14-JANUARY-2013
PORTUGUESE AROUND EUROPE
 

The Portuguese who play in Europe recorded 9 victories and only 2 losses. The highlight goes to the German side Friedrichshafen and the Norwegian Stod, who emerged winners from double-header rounds.

In Germany, João José’s VFB Friedrichshafen (3rd) demonstrated that it’s a championship contender by winning VCO Berlin (3-0: 25-20, 25-17 e 25-17) and TV Ingersoll Buhl (3-1: 25-22, 25-23, 23-25 e 25-17). Facing Berlin and Ingersoll, the Portuguese middle blocker recorded 8 and 13 points respectively. On the next round, scheduled for the upcoming weekend, it will visit CV Mitteldeutschland.
On its turn, Marcel Gil’s RWE Volleys Bottrop, current Bundesliga 2 North leader, beat VC Bitterfeld-Wolfen by 3-0 (25-16, 25-16 e 25-20). Next weekend, Bottrop will play SVG Luneburg (3rd).

In Norway, Stod Volley Steinkjer, coached by André Sá, currently occupying the 2nd place of Elite Division - Women with the same points as the leader (Oslo Volley) but one game ahead, took advantage in the best way of the double-header round. First Stod inflicted Oslo’s first loss of the season: 3-1 (22-25, 25-12, 30-28 e 25-17). One day after, defeated Koll in straight sets (3-0: 25-6, 25-16 e 25-17). On the next round Stod Volley will visit UIS Volley (5th).
For the Cup of Norway Final, set to next weekend, Stod will play Oslo Volley. However before that important match, it will play Romanian CSM Bucuresti for the CEV Challenge Cup round-of-16.

In Spain, Núria Silva and Bonémia Gomes’ UCAM Volley Murcia, 4th in the Women Superleague, beat AD A. Pinguela (3-0: 25-17, 25-8 e 25-12) at home. Núria recorded 8 points (7 attacks and 1 serve). Next weekend, Murcia will play the 3rd ranked VCB Barça.

In France, Nuno Pinheiro’s Tours VB returned to the victories, by defeating Asnières (3-1: 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-19), thus qualifying for the Cup of France quarter finals, and also overcame Avignon (3-0: 25-19, 25-18 e 25-23) for the Pro A League, which continues to lead.
On January 16, Tours will host Ukrainian Lokomotiv Kharkiv for the CEV Cup Challenge Round.
On its turn, André Lopes’ Chaumont, showed again its momentum by qualifying for the Cup of France Quarter Finals, as Chaumont beat Arago de Sète (3-0: 26-24, 25-14 e 25-25-20), and by overcoming Paris Volley in straight sets (3-0: 25-20, 25-11 e 25-20).
Still in France, Carlos Teixeira’s Stade Poitevin Volley Beach will visit Beauvais Oise VC Volley (6th) for the Nationale 1 - Pool B on the next weekend, while Renata Guerreiro’s Asul Lyon Volley, current Pool B Nationale 3 – Women leader, will host ASVEL(7th).

In Poland, Tiago Violas’ Jastrzebski Wegiel SA failed to climb to the leadership of the Plus Liga and ended this weekend round in 3rd , after being downed by Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle (0-3: 20-25, 14-25 e 19-25), at home, current leader of the competition.
Next weekend the Portuguese setter’s team will play away with Indykpool AZS Olsztyn (9th). In the Enea cup Semi-Finals, Wegiel will take on Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle, while the other match will put head-to-head Asseco Resovia Rzeszow and Delecta Bydgoszcz.
The Cup of Poland Final will be played on January 26 or 27.

Rui Santos’ Chênois Volleyball Club overcame Volley Smash 05 Laufenburg-Kaisten (3-0: 25-20, 25-22 e 29-27) thus holding the 6th place in the Swiss League. In the Playoffs, played by the top six ranked teams, Chênois will begin by playing away at the EN Gas & Oil Lugano field, on January 26.

In Italy, the Ferreira brothers’ BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte, caoched by Flavio Gulinelli, lost to Sir Safety Perugia (1-3: 19-25, 25-19, 17-25 e 15-25), but was able to maintain the 9th place in Serie A1. Next weekend it will host Casa Modena, current 4th ranked team.

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