There are few unknowns ahead of the final round of the CEV Volleyball Champions League group stage. In fact, there are none when it comes to the top of the table and a direct passage to the quarterfinals – Zirat Banka from Group A, Lublin from B, Peruđa from C, Zavjerće from D and Lube Ćitanova from Group E have already secured a place in the top eight.
The final round of the first phase, in which all matches are played on the same day (today - Wednesday), brings the fight for second place, which leads to the round of 16, then the best third-place position, which also brings the play-offs through the back door, but also the remaining third-place places to continue the European mission through the CEV Cup.
In this context, our Igor Kolaković's ACH Ljubljana is playing against Tours in France in a duel for survival on the European stage. Two sets won, or any victory, will bring the Slovenian champion third place in a strong group in which the strong Trentino and Zirat Banka will play in Italy only for prestige.
There is a terrible crowd in Group B, where only the first place is known – Lublin, and even fourth-placed Halkbank, who are visiting Roselar in Belgium, are hoping to advance. If they win, they could jump one, maybe two positions, and achieve a feat and advance to the round of 16.
A lot also depends on the motives of leading Lublin, who are playing a match without competitive significance at home against Galatasaray, while the Turks are "burning underfoot".
Berlin is in second place in Group C, two points ahead of third-placed Las Palmas, but also faces a tougher match – they welcome Perugia, the European champion, while the team from the Canary Islands flies to Prague.
It's similar in Group E, where Montpellier needs a win away to Leuven, but also a good performance from leading Lube Civitanova, who welcomes Warsaw.
Pairs of the 6th round
GROUP A
Tour – Ljubljana (20 p.m.)
Trentino – Zirat Banka (8:30 p.m.)
Table: Zirat Banka 15, Trentino 11, ACH Ljubljana 3, Tur 1.
GROUP B
Rozelar – Halkbank (20.30)
Lublin – Galatasaray (20.30)
Table: Lublin 12, Roselar 7, Galatasaray 7, Halkbank 4.
GROUP C
Prag – Las Palmas (18 pm)
Berlin – Perugia (7:30 p.m.)
Table: Peruđa 14, Berlin 8, Las Palmas 6, Prag 2.
GROUP D
Zavjerće – Luneburg (18 p.m.)
Sporting – Rešovija (20:30 h)
Table: Zavjerće 12, Rešovija 9, Luneburg 6, Sporting 3.
GROUP E
Lube Civitanova – Warsaw (6:30 p.m.)
Leuven – Montpellier (20.30 h)
Table: Lube Civitanova 13, Warsaw 9, Montpellier 7, Leuven 1.
Bonus video:
