Eurosport
Defending champions Friedrichshafen edged out 2006 winners Sisley Treviso to put themselves in pole position to reach the Champions League Final Four ahead of next week’s second leg.
The Germans won 25-16 25-22 14-25 22-25 15-11 on Italian soil.
Dinamo-Tattransgaz Kazan and Copra Piacenza are also in good shape.
The Russians trounced Cannes 25-21 26-24 28-26 in the opening leg while the Italians bounced back from losing the opening set to take the next three 25-21 25-23 25-18 in Athens against Panathinaikos.
The Final Four will be played in Lodz on March 29-30 and Poles Skra Bechatów have directly qualified.
On the women’s side, Russia’s Zarechie Odintsovo completed a 15-25 25-19 25-15 25-15 win over Dela Martinus Amstelveen.
2006 champions Sirio Perugia look in good shape after sinking fellow Italians Vini Monteschiavo Jesi 25-18 30-28 34-32 and Asystel Novara are also flying the Serie A flag after defeating Voléro Zurich 25-23 25-23 25-21.
Their Final Four will be played in Murcia on April 5-6 and the hosts have directly qualified.
