A DenizBank AG VL semi-final doubles will take place in Raiffeisen Sportpark Graz on Wednesday. First the UVC Holding Graz-Damen receive TI-abc-fliesen-volley (5:35 p.m.), later in the evening (8:20 p.m.) the UVC Holding Graz-Männer and Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel meet. ORF Sport + and LAOLA1 will broadcast both games live.
Although the Innsbruck women come to the start of the “Best-of-3” series in Murstadt as outsiders, they know what it is like to win the overall winner. Because at the championship opener at the end of September they surprised with a 3-2 away win. Alongside STEELVOLLEYS Linz-Steg, TI-volley is the only team that has been able to beat the Graz women this season.
“It will certainly not be an easy matter, and I see us as favorites. But that could be a problem, because TI-volley has nothing to lose and has already achieved its goal for the season, ”explains Graz coach Matthias Pack. And captain Eva Dumphart adds: “We want to reach the final and will do everything we can to take the first step on Wednesday. But I expect a tough fight, the young Innsbruck women will certainly play freely. We have to play out our routine and go into the match with full concentration! “
TI volley coach Roe Hernandez: “With an average age of 26 years, the Graz team can fall back on a lot of experience. What speaks for us is that we can play without pressure. We are among the top 4, a really nice success for our young team, which can act cheekily and carefree. All that comes now is a bonus. It’s best to stick to the words of our captain Marty Walter at the start of the season – show attractive volleyball, hold against it and at the end see what comes out of it. “
Last Saturday, SK Zadruga Aich / Dob won the first DenizBank AG Volley League Men semi-final duel with VCA Amstetten NÖ in three sets, on Wednesday UVC Graz and Union Waldviertel face each other for the first time in the second playoff round in 2021. It is already the fifth meeting this season after two each in the MEVZA League and the top round. The Northmen left the field as winners three times.
“We worked hard and participating in the MEVZA League also helped us. Now is the time to reward us. It will certainly be a very exciting series. If we play as a team, it is also possible to buy the final ticket, ”said Graz captain Clemens Unterberger confidently.
URW manager Werner Hahn sees his team in the outsider role, “not only because of the ranking in the top round, but also because of the personnel situation”. A few days ago, a third player, middle blocker Maciej Borris, reported injured. The physio and masseur team are working at full speed.
Coach Zdenek Smejkal on the “Best of 5” semi-final series: “Graz is an excellent team that includes a large number of Austria’s best players. They are supported by legionnaires and have been playing together for several seasons. That is their big advantage. Our team, which changes a lot every year, always needs some time at the beginning of a season to reach the right level. But we have a team that wants to be successful. This semifinal series is the right opportunity to prove that. “
DenizBank AG VL Women, semi-finals (best-of-3)
March 17th, 5:35 pm: UVC Holding Graz vs. TI-abc-fliesen-volley (LIVE on ORF Sport + and on LAOLA1)
March 20th, 8:15 pm: ASKÖ Steelvolleys Linz / Steg vs. SG VB NÖ Sokol / Post (LIVE on LAOLA1)
March 20, 4:30 p.m.: TI-abc-tiling-volley vs. UVC Holding Graz
24.03., 20:20: SG VB NÖ Sokol/Post vs. ASKÖ Steelvolleys Linz/Steg (LIVE in ORF Sport+)
if required
March 27, 4:00 p.m.: UVC Holding Graz vs. TI-abc-tiling-volley
March 27th, 7:00 pm: ASKÖ Steelvolleys Linz / Steg vs. SG VB NÖ Sokol / Post
Schedule, results, statistics
DenizBank AG VL Men, semi-finals (best-of-5)
March 13: SK Zadruga Aich / Dob vs. VCA Amstetten NÖ 3:0 (25:12, 25:18, 25:19)
March 17th, 8:20 pm: UVC Holding Graz vs. Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel (LIVE on ORF Sport + and on LAOLA1)
March 20th, 5:45 pm: VCA Amstetten NÖ vs. SK Zadruga Aich / Dob (LIVE on LAOLA1)
20.03., 19:00 : Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel vs. UVC Holding Graz
26.03., 19:00: UVC Holding Graz vs. Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel
March 27, 19:00: SK Zadruga Aich / Dob vs. VCA Amstetten NÖ
if required
31.03., -Tba-: VCA Amstetten NÖ vs. SK Cooperative Aich / Dob
31.03., 17:30: Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel vs. UVC Holding Graz
03.04., 17:00: UVC Holding Graz vs. Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel
03.04., 19:00: SK Zadruga Aich / Dob vs. VCA Amstetten NÖ
Schedule, results, statistics
SPORTLIVE / PM
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