Lokomotiv-Novosibirsk-vs-Nova-Novokuybishevsk
For instance, a newly formed club that already earned the spot in the top division next season, Zenit Sankt-Peterburg, upset European and World vice-champions Zenit Kazan in Round 2 of Pool 1 by a 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-22). The Cuban Oreol Camejo topped the Sankt-Peterburg side with 14 points. His compatriot Wilfredo León made 15 points for the losing side. Both now have 1-1 and 3 points. Dinamo Leningradskaya Oblast have 2-0 while Division 2 side ASK Nizhegorodskaya Oblast (former Guberniya Nizhny Novgorod, shut down in 2016) is at 0-2. According to the website of Zenit Kazan, their namesakes went on the field with the best possible lineup which includes several huge signings (with the exception of Andrey Ashchev). As for Zenit Kazan, they missed American Matt Anderson, Aleksandr Butko, Maksim Mikhailov and Artem Volvich due to the national team duties. And, according to the propositions, since they released three players to the Russian NT during the Russian Cup, Zenit automatically secured their berth in the next stage of the tournament.
Without their head coach Plamen Konstantinov, who is engaged with the Bulgarian NT in EuroVolley 2017, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk suffered a surprising defeat to Nova Novokuybishevsk 3-2 and now have 1-1 in Pool 3, just like Tarkhan Sterlitamak from Division 2. Neftyanik Orenburg is at 0-2. Nikolay Pavlov scored 19 points for Lokomotiv while Romanas Shkulyavichus collected 25 for Nova.
Dinamo Moscow and Belogorie Belgorod justified the role of the favorites in their pool, having 2-0 each.
In Pool 2, Dinamo Moscow defeated Yugra-Samotlor Nizhevartovsk 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-17) in Round 2 with the Dutch Dick Kooy making his successful debut in the tournament, while Belogorie downed Enisey Krasnoyarsk in four sets, despite their rivals had newcomers Antonin Rouzier of France and Aleksey Spiridonov in the lineup. The major signing of Belogorie this summer, Konstantin Bakun, has made his debut already in Round 1.
See the complete results and standings of the Preliminary Round of the Russian Cup on the website of the Russian Federation.
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