Olympiacos continues its impressive presence in the Challenge Cup winning Menen 3-1 in the first game of the round “8” in Belgium. The ‘’Reds’’ had the support of 50 fans and made the first sept to qualify to the semi-finals of the competition. It has an important advantage and wants to secure the qualification in the rematch held at Renti (1/3). 

Key action:

Olympiacos was dominant in the first set having significant margins. It went ahead with +6 in the second technical timetable (10-16). Rawerdink did 14-21 for Olympiacos which led and won the first set (17-25). The second set was balanced until the first technical timeout with Menen leading 8-7. The hosts ran a streak to boost the difference to +7. The ‘’Reds’’ didn’t overturn the set and the Belgian team equalised. 

The ‘’Legend’’ won the crucial third set!

In the crucial third set, Olympiacos entered more decisively and regained control, having the lead that it maintained until the end. Despite the fact that the hosts reduced to 18-20, the points of Oivanen and Aleksiev gave an important advantage. The set ended 25-22 for the Greek team. 

He got a great victory!

The two teams went point to point until the second technical timeout of the fourth set (16-15). Then, Olympiacos run a 3-0 streak to get the lead (16-18). The ‘’Reds’’ kept the rhythm under control and finally, won the set 21-25 and got a great victory in a difficult home. 

Match stats: 

The sets: 1-3 (17-25, 25-16, 22-25, 21-25)

1st set: 6-8, 10-16, 14-21, 17-25

2nd set: 8-7, 16-8, 21-13, 25-16

3rd set: 3-8, 14-16, 18-21, 22-25

4th set: 8-7, 16-15, 20-21, 21-25

Statistics: 

Menen (Peris): Sinnesael 6 (2/8 attacks, 1 ace, 3 blocks), Ver Eecke 10 (10/21 attacks, 71% pos – 33% exc.), Gorski 2 (1/5 attacks, 1 ace), Winkelmuller 20 (16/32 attacks, 1 ace, 3 blocks), Fasteland 8 (2/5 attacks, 1 ace, 5 blocks), Folguera 4 (0/1 attacks, 4 aces), Bernardo (L, 54% os- 38% exc.), Vercruysse, Van de Caveye 9 (7/18 attacks, 2 aces, 46% pos – 25% exc.), Maddens, Andriessen

Olympiacos (Munoz Benitez Fernando): Oivanen 14 (10/23 attacks, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Petreas 9 (5/11 attacks, 4 blocks), Bohme 11 (5/9 attacks, 6 blocks), Drzyzga 2 (1/1 attack, 1 block), Aleksiev 16 (15/23 attacks, 1 block, 35% pos-29% exc.), Rauwerdink 11 (10/22 attacks, 1 block, 33% pos-13% exc.), Stefanou (L, 45% pos-30% exc.), Daridis (L), Zoupani 3 (1/4 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Roumeliotakis 1 (1 ace), Stivachtis, 

Quotes: 

Benitez said: ‘’ It was a very important victory in a court where it is very difficult to play. Fortunately, we played smart and took a significant lead to be the ones to qualify to the semi-finals. We thank our fans who came to support us today. It is very important in every game to have our fans and share with them the victories.’’

Stivachtis stated: ‘’It was the first step we had to do on a fairly difficult court and a hot atmosphere as the fans were close to us. Menen plays very well at its home. However, we stayed concentrated, although we lost the second set. It was the most important thing for us to win to make the first step for the "4" and we did it. It's great to be away from home and have these fans with you. They support us throughout the game and all we have to say is a big thank you.’’

Olympiacos continues its impressive presence in the Challenge Cup winning Menen 3-1 in the first game of the round “8” in Belgium. The ‘’Reds’’ had the support of 50 fans and made the first sept to qualify to the semi-finals of the competition. It has an important advantage and wants to secure the qualification in the rematch held at Renti (1/3). 

Key action:

Olympiacos was dominant in the first set having significant margins. It went ahead with +6 in the second technical timetable (10-16). Rawerdink did 14-21 for Olympiacos which led and won the first set (17-25). The second set was balanced until the first technical timeout with Menen leading 8-7. The hosts ran a streak to boost the difference to +7. The ‘’Reds’’ didn’t overturn the set and the Belgian team equalised. 

The ‘’Legend’’ won the crucial third set!

In the crucial third set, Olympiacos entered more decisively and regained control, having the lead that it maintained until the end. Despite the fact that the hosts reduced to 18-20, the points of Oivanen and Aleksiev gave an important advantage. The set ended 25-22 for the Greek team. 

He got a great victory!

The two teams went point to point until the second technical timeout of the fourth set (16-15). Then, Olympiacos run a 3-0 streak to get the lead (16-18). The ‘’Reds’’ kept the rhythm under control and finally, won the set 21-25 and got a great victory in a difficult home. 

Match stats: 

The sets: 1-3 (17-25, 25-16, 22-25, 21-25)

1st set: 6-8, 10-16, 14-21, 17-25

2nd set: 8-7, 16-8, 21-13, 25-16

3rd set: 3-8, 14-16, 18-21, 22-25

4th set: 8-7, 16-15, 20-21, 21-25

Statistics: 

Menen (Peris): Sinnesael 6 (2/8 attacks, 1 ace, 3 blocks), Ver Eecke 10 (10/21 attacks, 71% pos – 33% exc.), Gorski 2 (1/5 attacks, 1 ace), Winkelmuller 20 (16/32 attacks, 1 ace, 3 blocks), Fasteland 8 (2/5 attacks, 1 ace, 5 blocks), Folguera 4 (0/1 attacks, 4 aces), Bernardo (L, 54% os- 38% exc.), Vercruysse, Van de Caveye 9 (7/18 attacks, 2 aces, 46% pos – 25% exc.), Maddens, Andriessen

Olympiacos (Munoz Benitez Fernando): Oivanen 14 (10/23 attacks, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Petreas 9 (5/11 attacks, 4 blocks), Bohme 11 (5/9 attacks, 6 blocks), Drzyzga 2 (1/1 attack, 1 block), Aleksiev 16 (15/23 attacks, 1 block, 35% pos-29% exc.), Rauwerdink 11 (10/22 attacks, 1 block, 33% pos-13% exc.), Stefanou (L, 45% pos-30% exc.), Daridis (L), Zoupani 3 (1/4 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Roumeliotakis 1 (1 ace), Stivachtis, 

Quotes: 

Benitez said: ‘’ It was a very important victory in a court where it is very difficult to play. Fortunately, we played smart and took a significant lead to be the ones to qualify to the semi-finals. We thank our fans who came to support us today. It is very important in every game to have our fans and share with them the victories.’’

Stivachtis stated: ‘’It was the first step we had to do on a fairly difficult court and a hot atmosphere as the fans were close to us. Menen plays very well at its home. However, we stayed concentrated, although we lost the second set. It was the most important thing for us to win to make the first step for the "4" and we did it. It's great to be away from home and have these fans with you. They support us throughout the game and all we have to say is a big thank you.’’