CEV Challenge Cup: Fino Kaposvar beats IBB Polonia London

During the first match of the historic CEV Challenge Cup, where IBB Polonia London has two generations of players in the squad, the result did not go the way for the team for London. The home team of FINO Kaposvar SE won 3:0 (25:21, 25:18, 25:20). The Hungarian team set up an excellent venue and had superb support throughout the match. 

– The rest did not represent the actual on-court situation. I think we played very good volleyball. We should not be ashamed of anything; of how we played and what we achieved. We can certainly return home with our heads held high. ­–  said Coach Piotr Graban.– Personally I’m pleased with how we played. We really showed some positive attitudes. It is our first attempt in the European competition, and so of course there are pressures associated with an increase of standards of this degree. As a result we made errors that we would not have made in our domestic league, but that is the nature of dealing with a higher standard. We are very motivated for the next game. I believe in our team, in every player and I can see the eagerness to fight. We have two weeks of hard work ahead of us to display a great showcase of volleyball from England in Poland.

– We played well. Sadly the opposition was better and we couldn’t get the better of them. We return to London with new ideas and experiences. The Hungarian team gave everything of themselves. I strongly believe this will motivate us to work harder at our training sessions and will reinforce the team spirit. In two weeks we have the return fixture in Belchatow. We are optimistic and will fight to the very end – commented IBB Polonia London captain Marius Ciortea.

– We didn’t play as badly as the result implies. The opponent was a lot more demanding than our usual opponents in the English Leagues. We made a few uncharacteristic errors, which we have to cope with in the next match. Then I am sure the result will be different –  added IBB Polonia London setter, Bartosz Kisielewicz. – Now we have to focus our attention to the domestic league. We have a match against our local rivals Malory Eagles. They will be keen for revenge against us and we will use the match as the starting point for our preparation against FINO Kaposvar. I’m hoping the supporters in Belchatow will come to Hala Energia and support us there in two weeks.

The next league match is on Saturday 10th December 2016 against malory Eagles. The game starts at 3.15pm.

IBB Polonia play the „home” leg of the CEV Challenge Cup on the 18th December 2016 in Hala Energia Belchatow; Poland. The match starts at 6pm (Local Time in Warsaw). Tickets are available on http://ticketik.pl/

Pic.  www.cev.lu