FAVOURITES CONFIRM THEIR POSITION

Women's Indesit European Champions' League 2004/05

Hotel Cantur LAS PALMAS (ESP) won the first set against RC CANNES (FRA) but finally lost the match 1:3

Luxembourg, December 29, 2004. In the rescheduled eighth leg matches of the Women’s Indesit European Champions’ League 2004/05 Crvena Zvezda BEOGRAD (SCG) celebrated their first victory in Pool B over Polish Calisia Winiary KALISZ whilst Sant’Orsola Asystel NOVARA from Italy confirmed their leading Pool B position by beating defending champion TENERIFE Marichal (ESP) in straight sets. Last Wednesday French RC CANNES overthrew Hotel Cantur LAS PALMAS from Spain 3:1.

Two Pool B encounters were rescheduled for this Wednesday with Crvena Zvezda BEOGRAD booking their first win in this year’s IECL, defeating the polish Calisia Winiary KALISZ at home in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro, in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-23).
In the other Pool B encounter Pool B leader Sant’Orsola Asystel NOVARA from Italy defeated Spanish TENERIFE Marichal in straight sets with the defending champion giving the home team a hard time during sets one and three (29-27, 25-12, 29-27). With the lead changing several times during the first set (4-7, 6-8, 19-15) the score balances near the end at 21-21 and 23-23. Sara Anzanello gains the advantage for the Italian home team with a perfect tip (24-23) but TENERIFE doesn't give up, fighting for every point. However, NOVARA finally secures the first set 29-27, especially thanks to Laura Nicolini, also referred to as 'the octopus', who saves every single ball. The second set begins easier for Sant'Orsola Asystel NOVARA who take a quick 8-5 lead. In spite of Yelena Pavlova and Susana Rodriguez' efforts for the away squad the set remains in NOVARA's hands (13-7, 16-7) who finally book it 25-12. In the third set the defending champion from Spain tries to vary their playing scheme in order to turn the score but the local team won't give up their clear lead (8-4, 16-13). But then, losing concentration near the end of the third set NOVARA's mistakes start increasing and the guest team of coach Dos Santos overtakes the Italians for a short period (19-20) before the point fight commences once again: 23-24, 24-24, 24-25, 25-25, 26-25, 26-26, 27-26, 27-27, 28-27. Finally, NOVARA take their third match point, marking their leading position in Pool B.
Last Wednesday the 2002/03 champion RC CANNES from Pool A was seriously challenged by the home team Hotel Cantur LAS PALMAS from Spain, having to concede the first set (25-18). Turning up a gear after this first set defeat the players of coach Yan Fang managed to draw a balance (21-25) with Olga Tocko, Vittoria Ravva and Yuko Sano performing at their best. The 25-22 win of the third set was mostly the merit of CANNES’ all-round player Yelena Shabovta who booked the most points for the guest team. The deciding factor in the fourth and final set was the French girls’ powerful block which gave them the deciding lead (15-20) to finally close the match in their favour (18-25). “We did our best to win the match”, commented local team coach Sergio Camarero after the defeat, “but we played against one of the best teams in Europe. We are now aiming for the victory in the next important match, which will be against Polish BIELSKO-BIALA.”

Women’s Indesit European Champions League 2004/05, Pool rounds, 8^th leg
Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Preliminary Pool A

Hotel Cantur LAS PALMAS (ESP) - RC CANNES (FRA)

1:3

25-18, 21-25, 22-25, 18-25

95 mins

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Preliminary Pool B

Crvena Zvezda BEOGRAD (SCG) - Calisia Winiary KALISZ (POL)	3:0	25-17, 25-22, 25-23	74 mins
Sant’Orsola Asystel NOVARA (ITA) - TENERIFE Marichal (ESP)	3:0	29-27, 25-12, 29-27	87 mins

More on the net (including live scores, statistics, match reports, photos and other information) at www.cev.lu

Confédération Européenne de Volleyball

FAVOURITES CONFIRM THEIR POSITION

Women's Indesit European Champions' League 2004/05

Preliminary Pool A

Preliminary Pool B