The penultimate round of the 2013 CEV Volleyball Champions League, which is scheduled to take place next month, has thrown up some intriguing ties. With places at the final four up for grabs, the Playoffs 6 is never short of excitement and sees some of Europe’s top sides bid to secure their place in Istanbul and Novosibirsk, for the women’s and men’s competitions respectively.
The first legs are set to take place from February 5-7, while the return matches will be played a week later.
In the men’s division, defending champions Zenit Kazan face a real test of their mettle when they take on bitter rivals and compatriots Dinamo Moscow. The Muscovites scored a golden set victory over four-time club world champions Trentino in the previous round, while Zenit edged Berlin Recyclying Volleys in a thrilling encounter.
We have an all-Italian affair to look forward to also, after Lube Banca Marche Macerata and and Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneno dominated their Playoff 12 fixtures with Poland’s Asseco Resovia Rzeszow and Ach Volley Ljubljana.
In the third and final fixture, Arkas Izmir have been rewarded for their surprise triumph over PGE Skra Belchatow with clash against Poland’s Zaksa Kedzierzyn-Kozle. Glenn Hoag’s side are attempting to qualify for the final four for the second consecutive season.
Hosts Lokomotiv Novosibirsk will join the winning sides in the final four.
The women’s Playoffs 6 are every bit as enticing with the Turkish derby between star-studded sides Vakifbank Istanbul and Eczacibasi Vitra sure to set pulses racing. Both of these clubs have assembled teams that boast some of the most decorated players in the history of the sport for the sole purpose of winning Europe’s elite club competition. Add to the mix two Italian-born coaches, Giovanni Guidetti and Lorenzo Micelli, renewing their rivalry also, and you have a recipe for an enthralling affair.
Azerbaijan’s Rabita Baku meanwhile, will have to overcome the challenge of last season’s bronze medalist Dinamo Kazan to keep their hopes of European glory alive. Containing the likes of Ekaterina Gamova, who recently scored 40 points in the derby with Dinamo MOSCOW, could prove to be a tough task however.
Fellow Azerbaijani outfit Azerrail Baku take on Italian opposition in the form of Unendo Yamamay Busto Arizio, last year’s CEV Volleyball Cup champions.
Restoring Italy’s supremacy in the competition may be beyond them though, as Azerrail have signed a number of world class stars in their bid to land the CEV Volleyball Champions League trophy for the first time in their history.
Galatasaray Daikin Istanbul will complete the women’s final four line up when the aforementioned fixtures are decided next month.
Article provided by Brendan O’Neill from Livestreamingsport.com an award-winning sports, news and live stream website.
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