BR Volleys Confident Despite 2:3 Loss in Champions League Qualifier
Berlin, Germany – Despite dropping the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal qualifier 2:3 to SVG Lüneburg, the BR Volleys remain optimistic about their chances of advancing.
"We have created a good starting point for the second leg," said Volleys managing director Kaweh Niroomand after the thrilling encounter. "The two sets we won could be crucial for us."
Captain Ruben Schott echoed Niroomand’s sentiments, stating, "Those two sets could prove very important."
The second leg will be played in Berlin on February 26. The BR Volleys must win either 3:0 or 3:1 to advance to the quarterfinals. A 3:2 victory would force a Golden Set finish under tiebreak rules.
The Volleys hold a psychological advantage in the return match. Lüneburg has yet to win a single competitive match at the Max-Schmeling-Halle since its promotion to the Bundesliga in 2014.
However, the BR Volleys entered the first leg in Lüneburg weakened by a flu outbreak. "Not a single player was in peak form," Niroomand acknowledged.
Despite the adversity, the match remained closely contested thanks to the team’s fighting spirit. "We fought and worked together as a team," Schott said. "Unfortunately, we lacked the efficiency in converting our chances to seal the victory."
Challenges and Opportunities
The BR Volleys will need to improve their execution in the second leg. Schott lamented their failure to capitalize on several opportunities.
"We have to be more clinical in front of the net and minimize our errors," he said. "We also need to maintain our focus and intensity throughout the match."
The return of some key players from injury could provide a boost for the Volleys. Middle blocker Nehemiah Mote and outside hitter Jaromir Jagiello are both expected to be available for the second leg.
Historical Precedent
While the Volleys will need to overcome a deficit in the second leg, they can draw confidence from their past record against Lüneburg. The Berliners have won all 21 previous competitive matches between the two sides at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
"We have a lot of experience playing in front of our home crowd and we will use that to our advantage," Schott said. "We know it’s not going to be easy, but we have the quality to get the job done."
Conclusion
The BR Volleys face a daunting task in the second leg, but they remain confident in their ability to advance to the quarterfinals. With the home crowd behind them and a strong track record against Lüneburg, the Volleys will be determined to finish the job on February 26.
