21.03.2009 | MATCH PREVIEW
Bronze Medal Hopefuls
With Mixed Feelings
ATHENS, 21 March -- Despite the disappointment
of semifinal defeats, both Bre Banca Lanutti Cuneo
of Italy and Unicaja Almeria of Spain are entering
Sunday's bronze medal match of the 2009 Men's
Volleyball CEV Cup, at the Olympic Complex, here,
with mixed feelings.
The Italians blew a two-set lead
over the home team of Panathinaikos Athens, and were trying to figure out how
that came about. "I am very disappointed. I don't know what happened," said
Cuneo captain Wout Wijsman of Beligum.
On the other hand, the Spaniards
seem more focused, despite falling in four sets to Russia's Lokomotiv Belgorod
in four sets, after leading 1-0. "We
are prepared for tomorrow and we are here to win. We will now fight for the
bronze medal," said captain Juan Salvador, after Saturday's semifinal. "Our
great goal now is to win the bronze medal. We do not have many chances to play
in such an important tournament," added head coach Carlos Carreno.
The match is scheduled to start
at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT). It will be followed by the grand final, at
16:30 local time (14:30 GMT).
