Alekno and Sivozhelez
Defending European Champion, gave Zenit a push around in the first set of this derby match. Without Verbov, Zenit couldn’t sustain an enormous pressure of Lokomotiv’s attacks, led by Butko, as the champions won the first set by 25-14.
But wounded giant is the most dangerous one. Lokomotiv got complacent a bit and Zenit simply destroyed them even more convincingly. Led by amazing defence and strong performance of Apalikov, Zenit responded with 25-13 second set.
Lokomotiv got the three point lead early on, but Zenit held their ground. Until the second technical time out home team was ahead 16-14. And Kazan never let go of their lead, as the rising star Viktor Poletaev (18 years old) blocked Divis for the 25-21.
Amazing team spirit and will to win was present with Zenit squad. They celebrated every point like it’s the game-winning one and that seemed to be the edge in this match. Everyone was involved in defence for the home team and Lokomotiv was simply not enough motivated to win this match. After 25 minutes in the final, fourth set, Zenit was the deserved winner of this derby match 25-19.
Pavel Moroz was the leading scorer of this match, but that didn’t helped his team. Matt Anderson and Maxim Mikhailov led the attack for Zenit with 18 and 17 points respectively.
Round 2. Pool E, results:
Zenit Kazan – Lokomotiv Novosibirsk 3-1 (14-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
Posojilnica – Lube Macerata 20.25 PM
Standings: Lube 3 (3-0), Lokomotiv 3 (4-3), Zenit 3 (3-4), Posojilnica 0 (0-3)
For more similar articles click on CEV Champions League 2013/2014 M.
Statistics and video of this game coming very soon…
