Regional volleyball tournament: Reunion, Seychelles and Mauritius teams battling in the semifinals today

Seychelles Beau Vallon in action against Reunion's St Denis in its third group match. Beau Vallon is Seychelles' only men's team vying for a place in the finals and the players will meet Reunion's Tampon in the semifinals today. (Seychelles Nation)

(Seychelles News Agency) - The finalists of the ‘Coupe de Clubs Champions de la Zone Sept de CAVB’ (Confederation of African Volleyball) hosted by the Seychelles will be known today.

The women’s reigning champion St Denis Olympique from the French overseas department of Reunion was the first to qualify after winning 3-1 against Cote Ouest also from Reunion in the first semi-final match played earlier this afternoon.

All four teams representing the Indian Ocean island of Reunion have qualified for the semi-final stage of the tournament that got underway at around midday local time at the Seychelles international sporting venue, the Palais des Sports, on the outskirt of the Seychelles capital of Victoria.

With one of the women’s team already in the finals Reunion’s Tampon and St Denis on the men’s side will also be vying for a chance to play in the finals tomorrow as they meet opponents from Mauritius and the Seychelles respectively.

Three of the Seychelles teams will also be playing today to stand a chance to go through to the finals of the regional volleyball championship being hosted for the 21st time this year.

The archipelago’s women’s team of Arsu and Cascade will meet in the third semi-final match to be played today which is scheduled to start at 4pm.

Off to a very good start on Monday when they defeated reigning champions St Denis Olympique on the score of 3-0 in the group phase of the competition, Arsu suffered a surprised defeat at the hands of the Mauritian side Azure in its last group match.

While there is no chance of an all Reunions or Seychelles final as the two teams from the respective countries clash against each other in the semis suspense is high as to which team will eventually walk away with the title.

Whoever wins between Arsu and Cascade in the match to be played at 4pm today will be up against Reunion’s reigning champion St Denis Olympique.

On the men’s side the defending men’s champions Beau Vallon is Seychelles’ sole representative amongst the last four vying a place in the finals.

The other men’s team from the host country, Premium Spikers finished third in the group stage and was defeated 1-3 in the match for 5th place by Gendarmerie from neighbouring Mauritius.

The second semi-final between Camp Ithier from Mauritius and Reunion’s St Denis is now underway and whoever wins will play against the winner of the match between Seychelles Beau Vallon and Reunion’s Tampon Gecko which will be the last semi-final match scheduled for 6pm.

The two teams from Reunion are firm favourites to reach the finals tomorrow especially since St Denis emerged as 3-0 winners over defending champions Beau Vallon during the group phase.