From our special correspondent in Zagreb
Mladost Zagreb: 1
Tours : 3
TVB knows that it did not deliver a great match, however it was more than enough to dominate Mladost Zagreb this Thursday, December 5. And the main thing is there for the people of Tourangeaux.
Marcelo Fronckowiak (TVB entertainer) : “The thing to remember is victory. And the continuation of this current streak. So if our match was perhaps not brilliant, it was enough, in a CEV context which is very different from what we are used to, with a local environment which has nothing to do with it – the absence of video challenge, the coach who enters the field… – and who, I think, had an impact on us. »
Hermans Egleskalns (pointu du TVB et MVP du match) : “The thing that matters is winning. We dominated and the opponents came back when they started to serve, and then they had no choice but to do so. We may have had a little difficulty, but we stayed calm. We always felt like we were going to win. The return match, at home, will potentially be easier. With this 3-1 victory, it gives us a little margin. »
-Clemens Ecker (Zagreb receiver-forward): “It was a close match. The first set is played with one or two balls that we missed. In the second, it was better for us and after that, we started late and then there were refereeing decisions on one side and the other… We came back but in the end, Tours showed its quality. They were the better team, but the decision will be made in the second leg. I'm already looking forward to it, it will be a big challenge. We will play without pressure and we will want to show that we can play against a big team like Tours. »
Antoine Pothron (Tours receiver-attacker): “We didn’t have a great match. We make a lot of mistakes, there are small details that we don't manage very well. But despite these mistakes, we stuck together, and when they came back, we didn't give up. We knew that there would be zero atmosphere and that it was up to us to impose our rhythm, which we did quite well at the start. And when the Croats returned, we were also able to break their dynamic. In Tours, there will be a different atmosphere. It will be the last match before the break and we know that we will have to give everything. This team is young, has potential and should not be taken lightly. »
