Olympiacos Women Beat Benfica to Advance in Challenge Cup

by · Greek City Times

Olympiacos secured qualification for the Women’s Challenge Cup Round of 32 after defeating Benfica in a dramatic five-set encounter in Lisbon, winning 3-2 in the return leg to advance following another comeback victory in the tie-break.

The match lasted two hours and 41 minutes, with the Greek side repeatedly coming under pressure before displaying remarkable determination to secure qualification. Bannister led Olympiacos with an outstanding 32 points.

Branko Kovacevic’s team lost the opening set 25-22 but responded by taking the second 25-23. Benfica regained the lead with a 25-22 victory in the third set, despite Olympiacos initially taking control at 17-15.

The fourth set produced another dramatic turnaround. Benfica established a 12-6 advantage and maintained its lead until 20-15. However, Olympiacos fought back with a five-point run to level the score at 20-20 before moving ahead 23-22.

Read more: Olympiacos Beat Benfica in Dramatic Challenge Cup Comeback

Mlejnkova brought Olympiacos to set point, but Benfica saved two opportunities before Traballi created another chance. Mlejnkova then finished the set with a counterattack to secure a 28-26 victory and force a deciding tie-break.

In the fifth set, Olympiacos fell behind after initially leading 3-2, with Benfica opening an 11-8 advantage and later moving within two points of victory at 13-11.

The Greek side fought back to level the score, but a missed serve handed Benfica match point. Schafmeister saved it with a placement shot to make it 14-14, before Bannister’s attack put Olympiacos ahead 15-14.

Benfica saved that match point and another opportunity from Schafmeister, but Olympiacos finally secured the victory at 18-16 on its third match point.

Olympiacos will now face Dutch side Apollo 8, who eliminated Levski Sofia with two victories.

The first leg will take place in the Netherlands between November 24 and 26, with the return match scheduled for December 1-3 at the Melina Merkouri indoor arena in Rentis.

Set Scores

– Benfica – Olympiacos: 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 26-28, 16-18.

Match duration: 161 minutes.

Match Statistics

Benfica scored through seven aces, 60 attacks, seven blocks and 41 opponent errors.

Olympiacos recorded five aces, 77 attacks, seven blocks and 27 opponent errors.

Top Scorers

Benfica

  • Santos: 31 points
  • Souza: 18 points
  • Joana Garcês: 7 points
  • Escura: 6 points

Olympiacos

  • Bannister: 32 points
  • Mlejnkova: 15 points
  • Traballi: 11 points
  • Schafmeister: 7 points
  • Terzoglou: 7 points

(Source: AMNA)

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