The team from Bled started off a bit timidly, allowing the guests to take the lead and keep it all through the first technical timeout. Zenit’s players became bolder with their attacks and at 9:14 ACH Volley’s coach Igor Kolaković called the first timeout. After the second technical timeout (10:16) the Slovene players took initiative and with an ace by Šket and a successful attack by Jakopin they reduced the difference to two points (15:17). Unfortunately that did not sway the Russians who won the first set after a score by Abrosimov. ACH Volley was excellent at the beginning of the second set, taking the lead 2:0. Unfortunately the guests scored five successive points, forcing the team form Bled to call a timeout. Zenit’s players did not yield, playing excellently in the field and in block and their lead quickly increased (9:16). On the other side the Slovenian champions lacked determination in all elements of the game and not even changes in setter and receiver did not prevent the guest to win the second set. The third set barely started when Zenit Kazan was already in the lead by three points (3:6). ACH volley’s players did not surrender and after an ace by Šket they tied the result at the eighth point. With Kovačević’s excellent attack they took the lead first with 9:8 and later 12:9. The Russians quickly came back into the game and tied at the twelfth point. The game was then tied up to the 15th point but in the finale the players of the Russian team made far less errors and deservingly won the set and the match. The best player for the home team was Alen Šket with 16 points and for Zenit Kazan that was Maxim Mikhailov with 19 points who was also the best scorer of the match.
ACH Volley’s head coach Igor Kolaković: “It is not a nice feeling Russians showing you how strong they are. My congratulations go to them. They displayed their focus on the game by playing a perfect game, which is not characteristic of Russian teams.”
Zenit Kazan’s head coach Vladimir Alekno: “I am extremely satisfied with the win. Already at the press conference I stated that it will be a difficult match. It was hard to play in front of so many people.”
ACH Volley’s captain and receiver Andrej Flajs: “We expected a better performance but we did not succeed. The Russians managed to escape at the very beginning of the set, which made it easier for them to play. In my opinion the difference between the teams, as shown today, is not realistic and we will try to take advantage of this fact. Their excellent defence was their strongest weapon.”
ACH Volley’s receiver Vid Jakopin: “Once the Russians escape they are difficult to catch. We did not follow the strategy we agreed upon, we did not show enough energy, team play and the desire to win. This is not how you play against the best team in the world.” (PR)