The women’s volleyball team continues its European journey to the semifinals. The ‘’Reds’’ secured the qualification thanks to a 3-0 victory against Pfeffingen and added another glorious page in Olympiacos history. Having the support of 1,000 fans, Olympiacos had an excellent performance and secured the victory in 39 minutes. Hippe with 17 points and Niemer with 16 were the top scorers. The next opponent is the Russian Dinamo Krasnodar

Key action

Olympiacos was dominant in the first set and went ahead with 8-1 in the first technical timeout. It imposed its rhythm and received just three points until the second one (16-3). Having an excellent performance, it reached at 25-4 in 16 minutes. At the same time, it completed the first set with 6 blocks and 5 aces.  

At the start of the second set, the ‘’Reds’’ were very strong and led with 6-2. The guests tried to react and reduced to 11-9 and 12-10 but Olympiacos never lost the control and maintained the lead (16-11). The Greek team reached 25-18 and secured the qualification to the Challenge Cup semifinals. 

The third set was the most balanced and ambitious. Olympiacos went ahead with 16-11 in the second technical timetable but then Pfeffingen equaled 19-19. The ‘’Reds’’ replied with a 5-0 run and Hippe scored for the final 25-20 celebrating the grate success with the fans. 

Match stats: 

The sets: 3-0: 25-4 (16’), 25-18 (23’), 25-20 (23’)

1st set: 8-1, 16-3, 21-4, 25-4

2nd set: 8-4, 16-11, 21-16, 25-18

3rd set: 6-8, 16-13, 21-19, 25-20

Statistics: 

Olympiacos (Branko Kovacevic): Giota 4 (2/5 attacks, 2 blocks), Niemer 16 (8/21 attacks, 6 aces, 2 blocks, 50% pos-11% exc.), Poll 7 (4/14 attacks, 2 aces, 1 block, 62% pos-25% exc.), Lamprousi 6 (2/7 attacks, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Christodoulou 8 (4/7 attacks, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Hippe 17 (14/30 attacks, 3 aces), Konomi (L, 71% pos-50% exc.), Knostantinidou

Pfeffingen (Andreas Vollmer): Von Piekartz 3 (1/2 attacks, 1 ace, 1 block), Walch 3 (3/23 attacks), Matter 6 (6/11 attacks), Ennok 4 (3/11 attacks, 1 block, 46% pos – 38% exc.), Storck 5 (5/20 attacks, 38% pos – 8% exc.), White 6 (6/15 attacks), Pogany (L, 57% pos – 39% exc.)

Quotes: 

The Head Coach of the team, Kovacevic said: ‘’In the first set, we did the best performance all the years I am in the team. We played really amazing especially in block and defense. Surely our opponent is not as bad as in the first set, but I think they were a bit more stressed than normal. I want to thank our fans for creating a great atmosphere. Having such as atmosphere at our home, we won’t lose any game. ‘’

Saskia Hippe said after the match at osfp.gr: "I am very happy to have won the semifinals. It's a great challenge and we look forward to being as successful as last year. Today we knew our goal and we were all very concentrated. I want to thank our fans, who were amazing today and assisted us as they always do in such games.’’