Today, VaLePa plays against Benfica in Lisbon. The contribution of the match is access to the group stage of the volleyball Champions League.
Vammala Volleyball will meet Benfica today in the match of the third qualifying round of the Volleyball Champions League. The first leg between the teams ended last Thursday with a 3–1 win for Benfica. VaLePa needs a 3–1 win over Benfica to get to the extra round to play for the next place. There is a big stake in tonight’s match, as the winner of the pair of matches advances to the Champions League group stage.
Head coach of VaLePa Janne Kangaskokon according to the team will go to fight with the standard composition for tonight’s match.
– There are no changes in the composition. We will go with the same crew as last Thursday, first fist.
VaLePa faced Raision Loimu on Sunday and traveled to Portugal yesterday Tuesday. According to Kangaskoko, illness has been avoided and the team’s fitness is good, even though the trip from Sastamala to Portugal took time.
– The journey went well, but it was long. We came via Zurich and it took 15 hours in total, says Kangaskokko.
A familiar resistance
VaLePa sets out to win the match. In the first leg, the people of Sasta were able to take one set win from Benfica (21–25, 25–21, 22–25, 17–25). Today, Kangaskoko’s pedestrian crossings have a place for leveling.
– It is clear that the game needs to be improved from a week ago. Benfica is experienced and calm in their attacking game, and they don’t make mistakes. We have to be able to do the same. Attack percentage up and mistakes down, says Kangaskokko.
The match pair VaLePa–Benfica also met in the third qualifying round of last year’s Champions League. At that time, Benfica won their home match 3–0 and the away match 3–1, advancing to the group stage.
– We played here last year and the atmosphere was good. A relatively large amount of noise will certainly be made in the hall. A great game coming up and nice enthusiasm can be seen in the team and the coach as well, Kangaskokko sums up.
Read also: