Sporting Benfica Volleyball Championship Game

[EM ATUALIZAÇÃO: 15-17, no 5.º set (2-3 no jogo)]

What a derby! SL Benfica and Sporting discussed game 1 of the play-off semi-final of the National Volleyball Championship. At the João Rocha Pavilion, it was necessary to go to the black to find the winner. The eagles, in a game of overcoming, courage and resilience, were stronger (2-3)!

There is the play-off of the National Volleyball Championship … and given the classification of the regular phase, semi-finals with the derby derby! The best of five, that is, to go to the final you have to win three games, Benfica and Sporting discussed this Saturday afternoon, in Alvalade, the opening game of the tie.

Sixth meeting between the teams (the Benfica won four, Sporting one), in a duel between two historical emblems, formations that are well known … and the derby is always a derby! Passion, emotion, uncertainty, quality and a lot of fighting on the court! What is missing? Obviously, and yet, the public …

Positive entry of eagles on the court, with Sporting reacting and jump forward at 6-5. With 11-8 first stop in the game, requested by Marcel Matz. THE time out did not have the desired effect, and the lions expanded their advantage (14-10). New faces on the court, tactical changes, and the eagles stuck to the marker (15-14), so it is time for Gersinho to stop the challenge. Running after the injury, the reds were walking along the road, with Sporting, very efficient, making few mistakes. Draw at 20 points, a lot of balance and final moments of the 1st set of great emotion. Stronger, with a giant will, Benfica closed the partial with a 23-25, putting themselves at an advantage in the game (0-1).

Like the inaugural set, the eagles entered well, but the answer from the other side of the net was not long in coming, and with three points of disadvantage (8-5), Marcel Matz stopped the meeting to reorganize the collective. After a period of chasing the loss, draw to 13 points, in yet another demonstration of resilience and courage. And the 13th point of the eagles is a real spectacle on the part of all the players … it deserved the applause of the benches! A lot of balance on the court, teams with few secrets from each other, in a great game of volleyball. Again, final stretch of emotion and uncertainty … take heart! Huge eagles pack to make a difference, with Benfica, after another fantastic recovery, closing the 2nd set with a 22-25 and doing the 0-2 in the game!

Third set of very balanced and disputed, moreover, just like the previous ones. Draws and successive alternations in the scoreboard, with details and small mistakes made to make a difference. Eagles took the lead in the 7-8, forcing the lions from then on to give even more on the court to reverse the direction of the marker. Benfica mentally very strong, earning three points to the highest (8-11), with the leonine bank asking for time out. Recovery, new tie (13-13), e turnaround (one more), with Sporting jumping forward (14-13). With 17-14, Marcel Matz stopped the game to break the green and white ascendant, but this time the lions did not waver, won the partial (25-22) and put the game on a 1-2. Everything open!

Another good start for the reds, with Sporting reacting and drawing! From here history repeated itself … successive draws, alternations in the scoreboard, with the teams to fight for each point as if it were the last one. Decisive moment at 16-16 … with Benfica saying “present” and taking the lead. In a final stretch of set unsuitable for cardiac, already in benefits, The Sporting was more effective, carried out a new somersault, won the partial by 26-24 and tied the game to 2-2.