V. Blinov sports complex
Russia is hosting the last act of Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the third time in history after Belgorod and Moscow were visited by the world’s Volleyball elite back in 2004 and 2007 respectively.
The hosts of Lokomotiv NOVOSIBIRSK will be playing on Saturday the first semi-final versus last year’s winners of Zenit KAZAN. This won’t be the first time a Russian derby highlights the semis as all-Russian affairs were registered also in 2004 (Lokomotiv-Belogorie BELGOROD had played Iskra ODINTSOVO), in 2006 (with BELGOROD vs. Dinamo MOSCOW) and 2011 (in Bolzano Zenit KAZAN had first downed Dinamo MOSCOW in straight sets before losing the final match to the hosts of TRENTINO Volley).
Russia has got four wins since the CEV Volleyball Champions League was established in the 2000/2001 season, with Lokomotiv–Belogorie (2004 and 2005) and Zenit (2008 and 2012) having claimed the trophy twice apiece.
In the second semi-final Italy’s Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO – that is celebrating its first final four appearance after a long quest – will be testing the likes of Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE, with the team mentored by Argentinean head coach Daniel Castellani having found its way to the final for the first time in 10 years.
A press conference with the coaches and captains of the four participating teams is scheduled for Friday, March 15, at 1 pm (local time) and will be hosted at Ibis-Sibir hotel.
To read more news from this competition click on Champions League – Men.
