Tours
Mladost Zagreb
The European Cup will perhaps end this Wednesday, December 18 for the young players from Mladost Zagreb who will play their eighth European match there this season. Beaten at home 1-3 by Tours VB in the round of 16 first leg of this CEV Cup, they must in turn win 3-1 or 3-0, then win a golden set in Grenon, to continue their journey.
Although they had already qualified in the previous round, in Friedrichshafen, the challenge was however less since they only had to take two sets in Germany. Something they did at the end of the first two rounds…
And clearly, for the Croats, the stakes are indeed different. “We play without pressureassures Radovan Gacic who, unlike his players, knows Grenon well having come there last year with Ljubljana, in the Champions League. We have no injuries, we just want to use this match to allow our young players to gain additional experience. »
“Show yourself on the European market”
As for the result? “We know that if we play well, we can do something. Afterwards, I don’t know exactly what, but I’m sure we’ll have a good match, continues the Zagreb coach. Tours had some difficulties but for several weeks, they have been back. They regain confidence. They are favorites, that is clear, but we will try to sell our skin dearly. »
Collectively, of course, but also individually. With many players under 23, and even several 18 or 19 year olds, the CEV Cup, as before the Champions League, is a godsend, a springboard. “All these players want to grow, to develop, to show themselves on the European market. But it also allows them to take the pulse of international volleyball, because for many of them, it is the first time that they play in the European Cup, that they play outside their country. We prepare them for the future. »
This Wednesday, December 18 at 8 p.m., Grenon room.
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