KNACK RANDSTAD ROESELARE LOOKING TO RECOVER

Men's Indesit European Champions' League 2005/06

Roeselare, Belgium, November 8, 2005. Following an impressive 3:0 victory against Unicaja ALMERIA in their first match of Pool A in the men’s Indesit European Champions’ League, Knack Randstad ROESELARE suffered a disappointing defeat facing Ortec Nesselande from ROTTERDAM.

The Dutch team performed extremely well with a stable defence, not allowing Knack Randstad ROESELARE one set (3:0). In spite of the clear result, two of the sets could have gone either way. ROESELARE weren’t able to take any of the three set balls in the first set (26-28) nor any of the five set balls at the end of the third set (32-34).

“We can’t accept such mistakes at this level”, stated assistant-coach Bart Hungenaert replacing head coach Dominique Baeyens whose mother passed away on the day of the match, “On Thursday the team received extensive feedback of the wrongdoings in Rotterdam with several aspects having been resolved.”

“Against Iraklis THESSALONIKI, the outspoken favourite in Pool A, we need to rehabilitate in front of our own audience in order to show a better performance”, added Hungenaert, “The disappointment of the defeat in Rotterdam has faded away. The only thing counting at the moment is the next game. Iraklis THESSALONIKI’s strengths are based on the power of their serve. In combination with their strong and efficient middle-block the team is difficult to beat. We have to avoid difficulties in reception in order to demonstrate our best play.”

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, 9th November at 20.30hrs in the Evenementenhall Schiervelde, broadcast later in the evening on Kanaal 2. The following day regional television WTV will show extensive highlights.

Johan Eeckhout
Press Officer
Knack Randstad ROESELARE

CANNES EAGER TO KEEP GOING

Cannes, France, November 8, 2005. After having closely lost against Sisley TREVISO in their first match of the men’s Indesit European Champions League 2005/2006 following a successful win in Vienna last week, AS CANNES Volley-Ball want to reach their second win in a row, namely against the Belgian team of Noliko MAASEIK in the “Palais des Victoires”.

This match is very important, as both teams have the same number of points and victory will for sure give the winning team a psychological advantage for the continuation of the competition.

“A big match”, commented CANNES’ coach Laurent Tillie, “We are facing a team who are used to the Indesit European Champions League with plenty of international players (American, Dutch, Bulgarian, Brazilian, Portuguese…). This is an athletic team with a strong potential in spike and block, hence we’re expecting a great challenge and a great show.”

For Noliko MAASEIK head coach Anders Kristiansson the win is most important: “If we want to qualify we must win in Cannes tomorrow night.”

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 8th November at 20.30hrs in Cannes La Bocca.

Pierre-Emmanuel Franchet
Press Officer
AS CANNES

LOKOMOTIV ARE ON THEIR WAY

Belgorod, Russia, November 8, 2005. On 9th November 2005 Lokomotiv BELGOROD will continue in the battle for the trophy of the most prestigious volleyball tournament in Europe.

Gennady Shipulin’s squad will encounter the Bulgarian champion Levski Siconco from SOFIA. This encounter will be remarkable for both teams, as this will be the first time ever where the BELGOROD “lions” play a team from Bulgaria.

At present, Martin Stoev’s team is third in Pool D with four points after three games. Lokomotiv BELGOROD follow Levski Siconco with one less game played and three points.

Wednesday’s game will show whether the teams will swap positions or not. The match will start on Wednesday, 9th November at 19.00hrs in Belgorod.

Andrew Gubin
Press Officer
Lokomotiv BELGOROD

ALMERIA WANT TO GIVE MAXIMUM

Almería, Spain, November 8, 2005. Unicaja ALMERIA; coached by Dutch coach Bert Goedkoop, come back to the Indesit European Champions’ League after a rest, facing Ortec ROTTERDAM Nesselande next Thursday, 10th November 2005 at 20.30hrs in the Mediterranean Sport Palace.

Goedkoop’s men had started their usual training this morning in order to be prepared for this next match in the European competition, aiming to reach their goal of finishing amongst the three best of their group, thus moving on to the next round.

Ortec ROTTERDAM Nesselande (NED) beat Knack Randstad ROESELARE (BEL) in a very disputated match where the Dutch finally managed to surprise the Belgians 3:0, claiming their first victory in the European competition. “It was a difficult match in three sets and shows how strong ROTTERDAM can be when defending and playing as they are able to. They can win against whoever they face, so we’re warned to be ready for next Thursday’s match”, manifested Unicaja ALMERIA manager Antonio Jesús González, “Matches played at home in front of our fans are very important matches but will also be disputed. If we are able to win four matches, I reckon that we will be in the top three.”

Rocío Díaz
Press Officer
Unicaja ALMERIA

Lorenzo Bernardi (Olympiacos PIRAEUS/9) in discussion with Konstantinos Christofidelis

OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS WANT TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Piraeus, Greece, November 8, 2005. Olympiacos PIRAEUS remain undefeated in two matches in Pool B of the 2005/06 men's Indesit Champions' League. Nevertheless, round three of the competition pits the Greek team against defending champions TOURS VB from France at the Piraeus suburb of Rentis on Thursday evening.

The game between the reigning Indesit Champions' League champion and the Austrian Airlines Top Teams Cup holder will surely show the quality of a final match. At present the head-to-head between Olympiacos PIRAEUS and TOURS VB is at 1-1 (2000/01 season encounters)..

Although a defeat in the hands of the French will hardly be disastrous for the Greeks, Olympiacos desperately seek a victory which will help forget about shaky appearances in the domestic league. The latest results, including a defeat by newly promotedLamia, have left sixth-placed Olympiacos struggling to keep up with the leaders in the Greek Championship.

In Thursday's match Olympiacos will receive the aid of their star Italian player Lorenzo Bernardi who most probably will be making his last appearance with the PIRAEUS club, as his wish is to return to Italy.

The match starts at 18.00hrs local time (16.00 GMT) at the Municipal Sports Centre of Rentis. It will be televised live in Greece on ET-1.

Constantine Dimaras
Press Officer
Olympiacos PIRAEUS

SISLEY TREVISO FACING AON HOTVOLLEYS VIENNA

Jesolo, Italy, November 8, 2005. Gameday four in Pool C of the Indesit European Champions League and the third match for Sisley TREVISO who will play against the aon hotVolleys from VIENNA next Thursday, 10th November 2005 (20.30hrs CET) in Jesolo's Palazzo del Turismo.

Following a day of rest after Sisley TREVISO have won their eighth game in a row in the Italian Championship overscoring Benacquista LATINA in straight sets at home last Saturday, the team came back to practice on Monday to prepare the match against aon hotVolleys VIENNA.

“We are going to get focused on this important game", Brazilian blocker Gustavo Endres said, "It will be a good chance for us to step up in the standings, especially because we have realised that everything is possible in the Indesit European Champions League and our challengers are very determined in the aim of beating us. It’s now a matter of concentration and taking control of the game, playing with aggressiveness on serve and through the middle."

Sisley TREVISO have met aon hotVolleys VIENNA three times in the past and have won each time.

The game will be broadcast live by Italian TV channel Sportitalia and by the local radio Veneto Uno (97.5 FM).

Enrico Castorina
Press Officer
Sisley TREVISO

BOT Skra BELCHATOW ATTEMPT TO GO TO TOP OF POOL D

Belchatow, Poland, November 9, 2005. Indesit European Champions' League newcomer BOT Skra BELCHATOW are aiming for their third straight victory in this competition. The Polish champion will face Buducnost PODGORICKA Banka from Serbia & Montenegro. The match will be played in the KWB sportshall in Belchatow with a capacity of 2'500 seats.

BOT Skra remain one of the unbeaten teams in the Indesit European Champions' League, whereas the Serbia Montenegrins are still waiting for their first victory. In case of the local team winning, they will reach the top of Pool D. BUDUCNOST hope to win for the first
time in order to climb from the last spot in Pool D.
"Our self-confidence is on a very high level", states BELCHATOW's head coach Ireneusz Mazur, "We are a bit tired after
this tough start to the season but our results motivate us to work even harder." The Polish team recorded a flying start to the season winning all four games in the Polish League (including three against three other favourites of the competition), one
game in the Polish Cup and both games in the IECL. Last Sunday, BOT Skra won 3:0 against another unbeaten team in Poland, i.e. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel Borynia, mainly thanks to Mariusz Wlazly who served with great power. " I still do not play as well as I can", the 22-year old attacker stated modestly, " I hope to play even better against PODGORICKA, especially concerning attack."
"We musn't underestimate the Serbia Montenegrin team", BELCHATOW's head coach added, "They possess many young players who are able to attack very well after a good reception. The service should be a key to winning this match. Nevertheless this clash will be very difficult for us."

The team from Serbia & Montenegro will arrive on Tuesday. They will play with their complete selection, whilst in BOT Skra center and national team player Damian Dacewicz is doubtful due to a knee injury.

Zelislaw Zyzynski
Press Officer
BOT Skra BELCHATOW

Confédération Européenne de Volleyball

KNACK RANDSTAD ROESELARE LOOKING TO RECOVER

Men's Indesit European Champions' League 2005/06