Defeated in the tie-break by Novara, Olympiacos heads to Italy for an epic upset

He fought it, but finally succumbed to the very powerful one Novara The Olympic.

The “red and white” were defeated with 3-2 set (20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 6-15) to “Melina Mercouri” from the Italian team, in the first match between them for the “16” phase of this year Challenge Cupa result that makes it very difficult for them to qualify, since now in order to pass to the quarter-finals they will need to win 3-0 or 3-1, in the away rematch that will be held on December 6.

Montcelli’s side looked their opponent in the eye, finding answers both times they found themselves back in sets, but bowed out in the tie-breakin which the guests were superior, winning 15-6.

The guests entered the game stronger, putting their team in the “driver’s seat” first with 6-3 and then with 11-7, a lead they managed to maintain until 16-20. At that point in the match, the “red and whites” got as close as 18-20, but took just two of the last seven points of the set, which they lost 25-20. The second set started with Olympiakos leading 3-1, but for Novara to react and go ahead with 6-5. Then the hosts did not allow their opponents to escape with a difference of more than three points, until 17-20. The Reds then went on a 5-2 run, tying the score at 22-22, before eventually tying the set at 1-1, winning 25-23.

With a high morale at the beginning of the third set, Olympiacos led 6-3 and was even ahead by +5 (13-8), but then Novara found a rhythm in its attack, equalizing at 20-20 and finally reaching a 25-23 advantage.

The big derby continued in the fourth set, with Olympiakos coming in stronger than their opponent again (7-4 and 10-7), but then they took only one of the next six points, falling behind 12-16. But, in the “final stretch” of the set, Lorenzo Micelli’s team found the mental reserves to pull off another upset, tying the sets at 2-2 with a 25-22 advantage. However, in the decisive tie-break the guests were clearly superior, winning 15-6 and taking a decisive step towards the quarter-finals of this year’s Challenge Cup.

The sets: 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 6-15