The women’s volleyball team continues its participation in Challenge Cup with dreams and ambitions. The ‘’Reds’’ celebrated the qualification to the "16" of the competition as it won Logrono  3-0 set (25-18, 25-12, 25-17) at the Renti’s "M. Merkouri", making an excellent appearance. Having the great support of its fans, Olympiacos played well against the Spanish Champion and secured the qualification to the next round. The next opponent is the Romanian Targoviste with the first game being held in Renti on 25 January. 

Key action: 

The Legend dominated!

The first set was balanced with Olympiacos going ahead in the first technical timeout thanks to Giota’s point. Logrono tried to reduce but the "Reds" reacted and widened the lead reaching 14-9. The Spanish team replied and reduced to three points twice (15-12, 17-14) but a triple block, and two points by Poll and Hippe boosted the margin to +6. Lamprousi completed another attack to give the first set to Olympiacos. 

An amazing second set!

The ‘’Legend’’ started the second set strongly imposing its rhythm and leading quickly with 8-3. The margin increased to +7 after a block by Giota. Then, a block by Hippe and a point by Niemer led to a two-digit difference (19-9) for Olympiacos. Olympiacos kept the absolute control, Hippe scored for 25-2 and preceded 2-0 on the set, embracing the win-qualification!

It secured the qualification!

Olympiacos kept the same rhythm in the third set with the Spanish champions being unable to follow. The ‘’Reds’’ went ahead with +4 in first technical timeout (8-4) but then Logrono tried to react, reduced the difference (11-10) tied the set twice (13-13, 14-14). Olympiacos run a 6-0 streak and won the final set celebrating the qualification to the next round of the Challenge Cup!

Match stats: 

The sets: 25-18 (22'), 25-12 (22'), 25-17 (23')

1st set: 8-7, 16-12, 21-15, 25-18

2nd set: 8-3, 16-9, 21-11, 25-12

3rd set: 8-4, 16-14, 21-17, 25-17

Statistics: 

Olympiacos (Branko Kovacevic): Giota 9 (2/8 attacks, 3 ace, 4 blocks), Niemer 10 (6/19 attacks, 4 blocks, 53% pos-35% exc.), Poll 14 (13/23 attacks, 59% pos-41% exc., 1 block), Lamprousi 7 (5/7 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Christodoulou 2 (1/1 attack, 1 block), Hippe 19 (13/28 attacks, 3 aces, 3 blocks), Konomi (L, 56% pos-44% exc.), 

Logrono (Daniel Gallardo Pujado): Gritzbach 9 (6/13 attacks, 1 ace, 2 blocks), Edelman, Pereira 9 (8/22 attacks, 1 block), Gonzalez 8 (6/17 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block, 43% pos-32% exc.), Pejkovic 1 (1/6 attacks), Llabres (L, 71% pos-14% exc.), Rodriguez, Figueroa 1 (1/2 attacks), Escamilla, Portero 3 (3/15 attacks, 45% pos-18% exc.), Rangel 2 (2/2 attacks). Martins 2 (1/2 attacks, 33% pos-8% exc.)

Quotes: 

The Head Coach of the team, Kovacevic said: ‘’ Today we won more easily than we expected and I would like to thank our fans for their support. Secondly we were very good in block, serve and defence, especially in the second set. I think that this team has the potential to improve its game. I am sure we will play better in the next round as the opponents will be better.’’

Katerina Giota, stated: ‘’I think it was one of our best games this year. We've limited our mistakes but we definitely need to find rhythm and play strong games. However, we responded perfectly to this game and proceed to the next round. We did a very good preparation, we were absolutely ready for this match and I think that we will become better and better during the season.’’