Shtip UGD host Orion Stars in historic CEV night

Shtip UGD will host Dutch champion Orion Stars this evening (18:00) at the SRC "Jackson" in Shtip in the return leg of the first qualifying round of the CEV Champions League.

Orion Stars arrive as strong favorites after taking a maximum win a week earlier in front of their fans. Shtip UGD hope to make the tie more competitive on home ground.

"Orion Stars is a serious opponent, they have quality, but also a serious budget. The result in the first match is somewhat expected. At the same time I think we could have offered stronger resistance, which I believe will happen now, at home. I hope that with better receiving and blocking we can better match the opponent and show teeth," says national team player in the ranks of Shtip UGD, Stojche Arsov.

First time for Shtip, Jackson back in action

The fixture has significance beyond the result: Shtip UGD are making their debut this season in Europe's top club competition, and this will be the first time a Champions League match of this level is staged in Shtip. The SRC "Jackson" returned to full operation only a month ago and will host what the club calls a landmark encounter for the city under Isar.

"This is a historic evening! The first match in Shtip and in SRC Jackson of this calibre and why not pull off a surprise!? We need the support of the crowd, which will be our seventh player. On the other hand I don't know when in the future they will again have the chance to be part of a Champions League duel. We enter rested and ready, despite a busy schedule due to domestic league commitments. With cool heads, I promise better play and fighting spirit and I call on everyone to another spectacle our collective will offer," says the team's captain, middle blocker, Mihajlo Miraschiev.

The club and players have said they will aim to mark the occasion in the club's and Shtip's sporting history. Entry to SRC "Jackson" in Shtip will be free for volleyball fans and the team's supporters.

Photo: press material from the event