Azerrail won and Lokomotiv lost in the GM Challenge Cup

In the first match of the second round of the GM Challenge Cup, Azerrail earned an easy straight set victory over Greek team Markopoulo Revoil, 3:0 (25:20, 25:11, 25:14). Even though the Greek team was able to keep up with Azerrail in the first set, in the second and third Azerrail quickly opened up the lead and never looked back, finishing the game in just over an hour.

At the same time, Lokomotiv was edged by the Russian Omichka team, 3:2. Omichka took the first set 25:22, but Lokomotiv evened the match at one by taking the second set 25:20. Azerbaijani team carried the momentum into the third set, winning it again 25:20 to take a 2:1 lead in the match. However, Russians took the fourth set 25:21, sending the match to a decisive fifth set, which also went to the host team, 15:10.

The Challenge Cup return leg matches will be played next week, when Igtisadchi and Azerrail will travel to Austria and Greece, respectively, and Lokomotiv will host Omichka in Baku.

To qualify for the next round, all Azerbaijani teams need to win their second matches, as per new CEV regulations, the team qualifying for the next round is determined by the results of two games, irrespective of number of sets won and lost. In case of a tie - 1 match won, 1 match lost and no matter whether the matches finish 3:0, 3:1 or 3:2 – teams have to play one extra set, called golden set.