Nova KBM Branik secure Final Four spot, ZOK Bimal-Jedinstvo move up to second place

In the women’s MEVZA League, the confident leaders in the current standing, Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) extended their winning streak to eight matches in a row, coming back from one set down to beat hosts OK KASTELA (CRO) in four sets (19-25, 25-17, 25-13, 25-18). Therefore, Slovenia’s national champions have already secured their spot for the Final Four tournament in early February even though there are still a few more matches to come.

Rookies ZOK Bimal-Jedinstvo BRCKO (BIH), on the other hand, moved up to second place, celebrating a hard-fought 3:1 (20:25 25:23, 25:23, 25:18) away win over Calcit Volley KAMNIK (SLO) in the top game of the week.

PHOTO © Calcit Volley KAMNIK

Final Four tournament hosts GEN-I Volley NOVA GORICA (SLO) accepted a 0-3 (23:25, 21:25, 17:25) away defeat at the hands of Mladost ZAGREB (CRO). Thus, the Slovenian side dropped to third place in the current table dead level with their compatriots Calcit Volley, two points behind ZOK Bimal-Jedinstvo and just one point in front of Mladost.

The women’s competition is going to resume on January 11, when GEN-I Volley will clash with Nova KBM Branik in a Slovenian derby.

Quotes

Gregor Rozman, head coach of Calcit Volley KAMNIK: “We started off well, but unfortunately the sequel was not as successful. We served well in the first set and the visitors had problems in reception, but we knew before what they are capable of. When we were no longer able to keep them away from the net, with their good setter, our hopes faded away. In the second and third sets, we did not find the right solution. In the fourth set we completely relented.”

Smail Pezerovic, head coach of ZOK Bimal-Jedinstvo BR?KO: “When the players saw that there was no Olivera Brulec Kostic and Lucille Charuk in Calcit Volley’s team, they probably thought that the victory would come by itself. The hosts took advantage of this and deservedly took the first set, but fortunately, we continued much better. We reduced the number of our mistakes, improved our service, played more effectively in the attack and finished with a significant victory, which puts us closer to securing a spot in the final tournament.”

Sasa Ivanisevic, head coach of Mladost ZAGREB: “I am really satisfied with the way we played today. This win was very important for us. Congratulations to my staff and my team!”

Mika Grbavica, opposite hitter of Mladost ZAGREB: “We won and I am more than happy. On Thursday, we will welcome OK KASTELA in the second leg of the CEV Cup sixteenth finals, so that victory was an excellent boost for us.”

MEVZA League Women

14.12.: HOK KASTELA (CRO) vs. Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) 1-3 (25-19, 17-25, 13-25, 18-25)
14.12.: Calcit Volley KAMNIK (SLO) vs. ŽOK Bimal-Jedinstvo BRCKO (BIH) 1:3 (25:20, 23:25, 23:25, 18:25)
14.12.: HAOK Mladost ZAGREB (CRO) vs. GEN-I Volley NOVA GORICA (SLO) 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-17)

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