Second semi-final

Tirol’s volleyball empire must strike back

The Hypo Tirol men are already under pressure after their bitter 2:3 away defeat against Aich/Dob today, Wednesday, in Innsbruck's USI-Halle (7 pm). In order to put the red-white-red volleyball world right again, they have to equalize in the best-of-five semi-final series! The confidence is there.

Doubts? "There aren't really any: we have to win both home games!" Hannes Kronthaler is known for his clear words. And tough ones if necessary. Which, surprisingly for many, he kept to himself after the unexpected and unnecessary opening defeat! "When I'm calm, it means: Watch out," jokes the Hypo manager. But there is some truth in that.

And the Hypo volleyball players would rather not find out. "I am convinced that we are better at home. Although we played well in Carinthia up to 8:5 in the fifth and deciding set - and you have to get there first. But then . . ." Mistakes in the block and in the reception, lost 13:15, "we know what we did badly and well, we will learn the lessons from it".

A win today would put the cards back in their favor. While Luan Weber and Co. have a whole week to prepare for game three, last year's final opponents and arch-rivals Aich/Dob still have to prove themselves in the MEVZA final four (in Bleiburg) before getting back on the bus to Innsbruck next Wednesday.

Head coach Stefan Chrtiansky can call on all his players and believes his squad will improve. "We've got the one or two things we need to do better under control. Even if it's going to be tough - we'll win in our own arena." True to the motto: The battered empire of the unbeaten basic round winner (18 games, 18 wins) strikes back!