A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano, a regular on the podium of Cev Champions League in the last three seasons, began its European season against Vasas Obuda Budapest at Palaverde Arena.

The "Italian Panthers" this year added to the roster the amazing opposite Paola Egonu, a player that caused huge frustration for Conegliano in last season’s SuperFinal in Berlin while wearing Novara's jersey. A notable presence in the starting six for Conegliano was that of the young Italian player Terry Enweonwu, bronze medal winner in the last European Championship.

In the first set Vasas displayed a lot of confidence, taking the lead at 6-9. The Hungarian team plays aggressively and Conegliano misses a few Attacks:  6-12. Despite coach Santarelli putting in Egonu, Wolosz and De Kruijf, Vasas Obuda continued to dig all the balls and sign points with Kjelstrup and Kalicanin. Surprise at the Palaverde  as the 3.031 people witnessed Conegliano lose the first set of her season 21-25.

The second set was as intense as the first one with the teams sharing the lead at different times. The decisive element turned out to be the Wolosz-Egonu couple as they give the Italians their first set in the match at 25-20.

In the third set A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano managed to start very well. Sorokaite and Egonu are unstoppable and the home team leads 10-0. The set is easily dominated by Wolosz (3 aces in the set) and her teammates who stay ahead until the end, 25-10. The fourth set was another balanced affair, as Budapest played with pride and increasing confidence. The final rush was an exciting thriller: Budapest leads 23-24 after two unforced errors of Conegliano and closed the set with a spike from Dekany, at 23-25.

The tie break was very tight at the beginning, but Conegliano moved up with the help of a great setter Joanna Wolosz and the amazing attacks of Egonu. Two aces in a row for the Italian opposite made the break (8-2). It turned out to be the decisive moment of the tie break which Conegliano then won comfortably 15-4.

MVP of the match Joanna Woloszm Imoco Volley Conegliano.

Joanna Wolosz,  A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano: "We have to learn the lesson tonight and understand that in the Champions League all the opponents are strong. The Hungarian team played very good especially in defense today and we risked a lot, but we reacted well, the important thing is to win our first game. My 13 points? It's my best record, I'll put it in my CV."

Ana Tiemi Takagui, captain of Vasas Obuda Budapest: "It was so exciting for us to play in a historic arena with so many people. We have been waiting for this game for days with emotion and I think we did a good job. It's a pity because we could maybe even win, but as a first challenge with a top team like Conegliano we played better than expected”