Luxembourg, January 20, 2005 - While ten teams were already sure of playing in the play-off round of the Men's Indesit European Champions' League after last week's action in the world's strongest club competition, the last two vacancies for the next stage were completed this Wednesday. Both German teams VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN and SCC BERLIN from Germany claimed the last two places in the Top Twelve of this high level competition.

VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN took the last opportunity to reach the third position in Pool A, the last spot be given away in this group for the play-off round. The task for the German number two was relatively easy: winning at home against Greek Iraklis THESSALONIKI or winning at least two sets against the team that was already qualified for the next round.

The German team put themselves into deep trouble after losing the first two sets and being match point down in the third set. However, VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN surprisingly won the third set and was therefore back in business.

In the meantime, Belgian champion Noliko MAASEIK, the other candidate for a place in the play-off round, defeated Polish Polska Energia SOSNOWIEC at home. The almost 4'000 fans in the Expodroom in the small Belgian village of Bree saw a great match played by the Belgians, who won in three straight sets.

With this result in mind, VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN knew that just one set would be enough against Iraklis THESSALONIKI to qualify for the next round. With a score of 1:3 the German team had the same number of points (12) as Noliko MAASEIK, whilst the set ratio was also exactly the same (14/15). According to CEV rules, the point ratio had to decide. With Noliko MAASEIK at 1.009 (675-669), VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN only had to achieve 13 points. This was easily done by the German team, who was already able to celebrate a place in the next round during the middle of the fourth set.

The evening continued successfully for the Germans. In pool C, SCC BERLIN was battling with Spanish Unicaja ALMERIA for the last play-off place. Already having finished all of their matches last week, the German team had to wait for the result of the match between Italian giant Sisley TREVISO and Unicaja ALMERIA: With a Spanish victory Unicaja ALMERIA would have been in the next round, but unfortunately for Spain this didn't happen. Sisley TREVISO won the clash 3:1 which was exactly what SCC BERLIN needed to qualify. Hence, the German team terminated third in Pool C, marching through to the next stage.

After the exciting league round of the Indesit European Champions' League, the following twelve teams are qualified for the play-off round:

Iraklis THESSALONIKI (GRE), Panathinaikos ATHENS (GRE), TOURS VB (FRA), Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS), Lokomotiv BELGOROD (RUS), JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel S.S.A (POL), Sisley TREVISO (ITA), PARIS Volley (FRA), VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (GER), Aon hotVolleys VIENNA (AUT), SCC BERLIN (GER) and Copra Volley PIACENZA (ITA).

The drawing of lots for the play-off round will take place on Friday morning. At the same time, the organizer of the Final Four will be nominated by the CEV.

Men's Indesit European Champions' League 2004/2005
Results 10th leg

Pool A
VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (GER) - Iraklis THESSALONIKI (GRE) 3:1 (17-25, 25-27, 33-31, 25-18)

Noliko MAASEIK (BEL) - Polska Energia SOSNOWIEC (POL) 3:0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-15)

Ranking:
1. Iraklis THESSALONIKI 8-15 (22-7),
2. Lokomotiv BELGOROD 8-13 (19-12),
3. VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 8-12 (14-15: points 686-674),
4. Noliko MAASEIK 8-12 (14-15: points 675-669),
5. Polska Energia SOSNOWIEC 8-8 (4-24).

Pool B
Levski Siconco SOFIA (BUL) - Vojvodina Novolin NOVI SAD (SCG) 3:0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-22)

JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel S.S.A. (POL) - Aon hotVolleys VIENNA (AUT) 3:0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-22)

Ranking:
1. Panathinaikos ATHENS 8-14 (21-13),
2. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel S.S.A. 8-13 (17-11),
3. Aon hotVolleys VIENNA 8-13 (17-17),
4. Levski Siconco SOFIA 8-11 (12-17),
5. Vojvodina Novolin NOVI SAD 8-9 (12-21).

Pool C
Hypo Tirol INNSBRUCK (AUT) - TOURS VB (FRA) 1:3 (23-25, 30-32, 25-21, 18-15)

Sisley TREVISO (ITA) - Unicaja ALMERIA (ESP) 3:1 (25-20, 25-23, 17-25, 25-20)

Ranking:
1. TOURS VB 8-15 (22-7)
2. Sisley TREVISO 8-14 (20-10),
3. SCC BERLIN 8-12 (14-19),
4. Unicaja ALMERIA 8-11 (13-16),
5. Hypo Tirol INNSBRUCK 8-8 (7-24).

Pool D
Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS) - Lokomotiv KHARKIV (UKR) 3:1 (25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24)

PARIS Volley (FRA) - Knack ROESELARE (BEL) 1:3 (23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 18-25)

Ranking:
1. Dinamo MOSCOW 8-15 (22-7),
2. PARIS Volley (FRA) 8-13 (17-14),
3. Copra Volley PIACENZA 8-11 (15-15),
4. Knack ROESELARE 8-11 (13-19),
5. Lokomotiv KHARKIV 8-10 (8-20).

Teams qualified for play-off round
Iraklis THESSALONIKI (GRE)
Panathinaikos ATHENS (GRE)
TOURS VB (FRA)
Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS)
Lokomotiv BELGOROD (RUS)
JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel S.S.A (POL)
Sisley TREVISO (ITA)
PARIS Volley (FRA)
VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (GER)
Aon hotVolleys VIENNA (AUT)
SCC BERLIN (GER)
Copra Volley PIACENZA (ITA)


Schedule
Friday 21 January 2005
Drawing of lots play-off round and determination Final Four organizer

Wednesday 9 February 2005 (+/- 1 day)
1st play-off round home matches

Wednesday 16 February 2005 (+/- 1 day) 1st play-off round away matches.

Wednesday 2 March 2005 (+/- 1 day)
2nd play-off round home matches.

Wednesday 9 March 2005 (+/- 1 day)
2nd play-off round away matches

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March 2005 FINAL FOUR