The head coach of ACH team Igor Kolaković did try to surprise the opponents with tactical changes, like sending to the field a slightly changed line-up. Instead of the standard Slovenian corrector Alen Šket, his role was offered to the Dutch giant Kay van Dijk, while Serbian blocker Milan Rasić in the starting line-up was replaced by handsome Matej Vidič. Unfortunately, the Russians fought against Kolaković`s tactics with a proven weapon in the role of the legendary Tetyukhin, Mikhailov, Ball, Priddy and Abrosimov. There were no surprises and even the replacements did not benefit ACH Volley. The most effective player was Vid Jakopin with 12 points scored, although all players who had the opportunity to test the taraflex floor of a brand new Kazan Volleyball Hall St. Petersburg, tried to do their best. But in front of the scarce audience - in the hall, which otherwise takes 5000 spectators there were only about 1500, where half of them were Russian troops - ACH Volley still could not achieve the turnaround and realize their mission (im)possible. Namely, the new rules of the European Federation of volleyball state that the team advancing to the next round is actually decided by return match, that is by any victory and by the so-called golden set.  Unfortunately, the ACH Volley team`s venture failed so they are coming home disappointed, but richer for a new, important experience.

 

There is no real rest for the Slovenian national champion. After an extremely tiring and long journey (more than 4300 km!) our players are returning to Slovenia tonight. Shortly, they are playing more European matches and there is also the national championship play-off. Matches are densely scheduled and goals are high - on both fronts the members of ACH Volley stand before an important task to maintain the primacy of previous battles and to defend the title as national champions and the champions of Middle European Volleyball League.

 

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