On Wednesday night, Mladost ZAGREB claimed a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23) at the expense of hosts CV GRAN CANARIA in the first of two matchups scheduled for the 1st Round of the women’s CEV Champions League Volley 2022.
The players of Mladost ZAGREB strike a pose after their 3-1 victory in Las Palmas
Mladost caught a promising start to the match and asserted their supremacy in the first set, courtesy especially of their mighty blocks. Even though the home side coached by Pascual Saurin attempted to keep the same pace, Mladost eventually claimed the opening set quite comfortably (25-18). Mladost stayed in control throughout the second set as well, with Mirta Freund and Matea Magdic as the outstanding performers for the team from Croatia’s capital.
CV GRAN CANARIA raised the level of their performance in the third set. Pascual Saurin made some changes to the initial starting six, with Raquel Montoro and Lucia Varela taking to the court. Mladost raised to the occasion as well, but Sulián Matienzo delivered an amazing performance and CV GRAN CANARIA eventually won the set 25-21.
After such a setback, Mladost found their way back into the game. However, it was obvious that the hosts had the feeling that they could put up more of a fight. Helia González and Gabriella Rocha were two important players for the home side. Even so, Mladost played their best Volleyball towards the end of the set and eventually closed the match 3-1 in their favour.
“I am obviously happy with this victory but it is not finished yet. I hope that next week in Zagreb we can play at the very same level we showed here today as well. I expect the Spanish coach to make some changes and try something different to have a different result.”
Leonard Baric
Head coach of Mladost ZAGREB
“It was our first match ever in the CEV Champions League and we started a little nervous. Mladost played very well and did so especially with their serve. We need to play better than we did tonight next week and not to be as nervous as we were here. We must play with happiness and I know already that we will be trying our best to win the next match.”
Sulián Matienzo Linares
Cuban player of CV GRAN CANARIA and top scorer with 16 points
