It was a historic evening for SC Potsdam: the women’s volleyball team competed in the Champions League for the first time. The winner of 2019 from Novara in Italy initially looked like a clear defeat – but the women from Potsdam surprised.
In Novara, Italy, the SC Potsdam volleyball players had a smile on their faces on Tuesday evening. Although they lost their very first appearance in the Champions League 1:3 (15:25, 17:25, 26:24, 19:25), they still managed to win a set against top Italian club Igor Gorgonzola Novara.
As an underdog in the Italian cheese stronghold
On Tuesday it will be historic for SC Potsdam: For the first time, the volleyball players will compete in the Champions League. The anticipation is huge – and the first opponent is already remembered thanks to his name.more
The Italians quickly won the first set
After that, it didn’t look like it at all at the beginning of the game. The Italians, who won the 2019 Champions League, took an early lead. After an attack from Potsdam’s top scorer Anett Nemeth, the score was 6:2. But coach Guillermo Hernandez’s team didn’t show their excitement at the historic premiere and tried to put the opponent under pressure with powerful serves. The Dutchwoman Hester Jasper shortened the lead to 6:8 with a successful attack and a subsequent ace. But the individual class of the hostesses was just too high. They used their second set ball to make it 25:15 – a clear and quick first set win.
Potsdam is increasing
SC Potsdam had to improve especially in acceptance – and did so at the beginning of the second round. The Potsdam team played well at first: Hester Jasper kept her team in the game with a successful block to make it 5:5. But as in the first set, the hostesses were able to pull away. Too often the Brandenburg women couldn’t get through against the block of the Italians. With the second set ball to 25:17, the second round also went to Novara.
Potsdam surprisingly wins the third set
The Champions League newcomer was not discouraged by the two quick set losses. With a 2-0 start, Potsdam took the lead for the first time. The Italians changed a few positions – and the guests took advantage of that. They initially maintained their narrow lead and kept the set open until 24:24. They were also able to use the very first set ball directly to make it 26:24: Suddenly it was only 1:2.
Coach Guillermo Hernandez’s team took the momentum into the fourth round and initially stayed close to the favorites – also because Novara’s top player Ebrar Karakurt made unusual mistakes. But the Italians managed to extend their lead again. SC Potsdam tried to keep up with good blocks. Although they still managed to catch up a bit, in the end they had to admit defeat to the favorite.
Broadcast: rbb24, December 6th, 2022, 9:45 p.m
