Berlin Recycling Volleys – Lokomotiv Novosibirsk
Both teams started out confidently with neither of them being willing to give anything away. The Siberian countered the powerful and precise service of the hosts with massive attacks, taking a first lead at 5:8. BERLIN steadily managed to close the gap (11:11), but NOVOSIBIRSK showing its class punished minor mistakes and took a first crucial lead at 13:16. Having apparently lost its rhythm, BERLIN eventually lost the first set clearly (15-25).
“We started really good, but then we stopped playing”, Marcus Nilsson, best scorer of his team (20 points) said. And indeed, not impressed by the class demonstrated by the Russian cup winner, BERLIN took an early lead in the second round (7:4) by a massive block of Tomas Kmet. The hosts steadily pulled away. A powerful hit by opposite Aleksandar Spirovski forced NOVOSIBIRSK head coach Andrei Voronkov to take a first time-out (13:6). 4’269 spectators could not believe their eyes watching their team establish an unbelievable 21:8 lead and eventually take the set (25-12).
Out for compensation in set number three the guests established an early lead (1:4). BERLIN, willing to prove the previous round not only to be a flash in the pan steadily closed the gap (7:7). A tight set at eye level developed with BERLIN taking a 16:14 lead. Pulling further away, the 2012 German national champion impressed with huge blocks and strong hits whereas NOVOSIBIRSK could not find its way back into the match (25-19).
Electrified by the outstanding performance of the hosts, the local crowd pushed its team forward in the fourth set with Robert Kromm, best scorer of the side of BERLIN (28 points), enabling his team to further pull away. Lokomotiv did not slacken its grip, being steadily about to close the gap. But not able to put together a string of points, the Siberians lost the decisive set (25-19) to BERLIN that now has good chances to make it to the Playoffs of Europe’s most elitist competition.
Mark Lebedew praised his team’s performance after the match: “The team played great. I was happy to see that they came through the first set’s disappointment. My team showed that they have strength and character”. And his team captain Scott Touzinsky added: “We have the best fans in Europe – this win is dedicated to them”.
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