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Aachen increased arena capacity for the semi-finals

Home court and fans' support will be a boost for Aachen, who are still without a home win this season. Vilsbiburg are traditionally great in the cup, defending champions, but this season they're lacking consistency

CEV

Aachen never reached the semi-finals of the Germany Cup. The interest for this match is huge, and their hall will surely be filled up today. The capacity has been increased from 1000 to 1450 viewers, especially for this match.

It will be a huge boost for hosts, who are one step away from the great finale which is scheduled for March 1st next year in Halle, traditionally. It were Vilsbiburg who won the title there last season, the one they want to defend this one.

To reach the semi-finals, Aachen was helped with a good roster. Hamburg in the quarter-finals weren't invincible. It was against them they scored their last championship win because they lost before Christmas against Schwerin, a team who will this year fight for the title because no one in Germany got them down.

- We played a good match against strong opponents, but I still see the team showing progress. Soon we will reach a home win in front of our fans - said Aachen's coach Marek Rojko after the defeat against Schweriner.

It's interesting that since the start of the season, Aachen weren't victorious at home. They played five matches in their hall, and no other would be more ideal for a win than today's one. If they win, they will go to the great cup finale which is extremely appreciated in Germany. Last season Aachen were one of the best teams on home courts, with a 8-2 record.

- We're going to celebrate Christmas, and then prepare for the cup semi-finals. It's a match in which we can achieve a lot - said Rojko.

He gave a couple of days off around Christmas to his players so they can rest for this meeting. The key will be their play on reception, their weak spot. They played against Vilsbiburg two months ago in an away match, and lost 15-10 in the fifth set. It was a match in which they've made 47 errors, and they couldn't reach a win that way. Vilsbiburg weren't excellent either, but their coach Jan De Brandt said after the match:

- I hope we will quickly get better in shape, it's our task to get better, from week to week.

There are still a lot of oscillations with Vilsbiburg. Despite that they've reached the quarter-finals of the CEV cup, and kicked out Dresden. They're still not themselves in the championship, their record is 5-5, and currently they're fifth. Out of the last four championship matches, Vilsbiburg were victorious in the last one, against VCO Berlin. It was a match where all players got a chance to show themselves.

- This wasn't an excellent match, but it was very good for our team - said Vilsbiburg's sports director Wehnert.

The cup is a competition in which Vilsbiburg comes, traditionally, far. In the last five season they won it last year, once they were in the finale, and twice in the semi-finals. This year they kicked out Dresden and became the first favorites, but it's clear they're up for a tough task in Aachen. During Christmas Vilsbiburg players got two days off.

- Before us is a big challenge, but we're prepared for the cup semi-finals and the away match with Aachen - said Vilsbiburg's coach.

Substitution setter Helterhoff, who is sick, won't be joining her team. A lot of responsibility will fall onto Fabrino Ramos. Setter Smith also came just in case.