Rabita suffers first defeat of the season

Rabita Baku rallied twice to force a fifth set, but came up short as it fell to Polish Aluprof Bielsko-Biala in the third week of the 2010-11 CEV Champions League. However, despite the loss, Rabita maintains its leadership position in the Pool E.
Natalya Mammadova finished the match with 28 points, including four blocks and three aces. Sanja Starovic and Kimberly Glass contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively. Natalia Bamber and Jolanta Studzienna topped the scoring for Aluprof with 18 points each, including eight blocks from Studzienna.

Rabita was slow in the first set as the host team took an early 4:8 lead. Aluprof widened the margin to 14:8 midway through the set. Rabita went on to narrow the gap 21:22, but Polish team responded with three quick points to close the set 25:22.

Rabita upped its defensive effort in the second set as a block from Natasa Krsmanovic gave Rabita a four-point lead early on. A smart tip-over and an ace from Glass put Azerbaijani champions up by ten points, 15:5. Rabita, however, couldn't shake off a determined Polish team that went on a 6:1 run to narrow the gap to 20:18. But a flurry of attacks by Natalya Mammadova carried Rabita over the line at 25:21 and tied the match at one.

Mammadova continued to attack well for Rabita in the third set, but Aluprof's Natalia Bamber countered with a powerful spike for a 12:11 lead. From there it was all Aluprof, as they took eight of the next nine points to go 20:12 ahead and eventually snatch the set 25:18.

Aluprof kept their momentum going in the fourth, grabbing a four-point lead by the time of the first technical time-out, but Rabita pressed hard with great tip at the net by Natalya Mammadova and a block by Mira Golubovic, bringing it level at 16:16. It remained close until Rabita scored four consecutive points, including a pair of powerful spikes by Sanja Starovic, to finish the set 25:20.

In the fifth set, Rabita took leads at 7:5 and 11:9, forcing Polish head coach to take two time-outs. Unfortunately, Baku team was unable to finish it off while Aluprof capitalized on Rabita's defensive errors and ended the set, 15:13, and the match thus handing Rabita its first loss of the season.


Aluprof Bielsko-Biala - Rabita Baku 3:2 (25:21, 21:25, 25:18, 20:25, 15:13) Aluprof Bielsko-Biala: Podolec, Ciaszkiewicz 12, Wojtowicz, Frackowiak 17, Waligora 3, Okuniewska 15, Skorupa 4, Sawicka (L), Studzienna 18, Kaczmar, Bamber 18, Matusiak 1 Rabita Baku: Nenova 1, Doganjic, Delic, Krsmanovic 9, Ativi 2, Popovic (L), Mammadova 28, Glass 15, Golubovic 5, Starovic 19, Zhukova 2 Notes: Set duration: 28min, 28min, 24min, 25min, 16min (total: 121min). Service errors: Rabita Baku 10, Aluprof 7 Aces: Rabita Baku 8, Aluprof 5 In the other match in the group, Scavolini defeated Dinamo Romprest 3:0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:15) Pool E - Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA (POL) vs. Rabita BAKU (AZE) 3:2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 20-25, 15-13)

Notes from www.cev.lu

A great Volleyball show was to be enjoyed in Poland as Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA beat Rabita BAKU also enjoying the impressive support of many local fans. The match ended after dramatic and tense five sets. Aluprof started the match quite nervously with some mistakes from the serving line but nevertheless the Poles played very consistently in attack. With the support of their fans Aluprof took an 8:4 lead at the first technical break. It was not yet enough for the team of head coach Grzegorz Wagner, as they stretched their advantage to six points – 14:8. The hosts were very concentrated and after a great show from both teams, the set ended at 25-21. Aluprof started vigorously also in the second set but this time the team from BAKU played more effectively in block and serving (7:3). As it turned out later, the beginning was a crucial half of this period. The girls from BIELSKO-BIALA had many problems in reception caused by the strong serves of their rivals. Moreover, almost every attack of Rabita's best players Natalya Mammadova and Kimberly Glass was played with impressive precision. The score at the finish of the second set was 25-21 for the Azerbaijanis. The third set had a special meaning: Aluprof came back after losing the previous set and took a provisional 8:5 lead. This comfortable distance remained there up to the second technical time-out and after that the hosts continued their fantastic run. The head coach of Rabita tried to motivate his players but many of their attacks were stopped by the tight blocks of Aluprof (25-18). Rabita seemed to be a little bit disappointed with their way of play and also in the fourth set Aluprof made a great start conducted by libero Agata Sawicka and best scorer Natalia Bamber – 8:4. This reassuring advantage allowed the Polish champion to play with a lot of confidence but despite it the team from Azerbaijan altered the situation after two aces of captain Natalya Mammadova – the score moved to 20:17 for Rabita and finally the guests bagged the set 25-20.
In the deciding set both teams played neck-to-neck until the end. Aluprof showed their strength and celebrated a victory. The last point (15-13) was stamped by Karolina Ciaszkiewicz.
Best scorer of the game was Natalya Mammadova with 28 points, while Natalia Bamber and Jolanta Studzienna chartered 18 points each for Aluprof. The head coach of Aluprof was very satisfied after this thrilling game: “We had a good tactic for this game and it may be an important win for us. We are very happy but on the other hand we missed our chance to take three points”. Dejan Brdjovic, the head coach of Rabita, said: “We made too many mistakes and next week we must play much better”.