Big volleyball has returned to Surgut

The second round of the preliminary part of the Russian Cup started with the match between Kuzbass and Shakhtar Soligorsk. The Russians dominated the early part of the game, having created a decent reserve at the start - 13:6, 21:13. Slavi Kostadinov put an end to the set: Stanislav Zaborovsky missed the ball, flying into the area - 25:15. In the remaining two sets, Shakhtar did not give up and tried to force a fight, but the Kuzbass players controlled everything. Breaks were mined through experience, every time stopping at the mark +5, and this difference was kept: 25:20 in the second game, and the same in the third.

After the first match, two Ugra teams entered the court. Surgut fans had many reasons to come to the Premier Arena today: in addition to the opening home match of the season, this is also the notorious Ugra derby, and the fight for a spot in the semi-finals. Five mistakes by the hosts in the opening game, but due to team actions, work in conjunction with block-protection, managed to take the set confidently 25:21. In the second game, the Vartovites had serious problems with Vadim Ozhiganov’s serve. Ivan Korotaev added aggression on the block, Obmochaev was reliable in defense, in reception - Katich, 25:16.

In the third batch, Gazprom-Yugra no longer had such a passion, It didn’t work out to “get there” based on emotions. From the very beginning, Vartovchane was taken into account, and all attempts by the owners to catch up were suppressed for the time being - 16:20 in the end. But at this moment the owners really got involved in the chase. Aksyutin knocked on Tarasenko's block, Ivan Korotaev came out to serve and scored a series: freeball was realized by the same Tarasenko. Aksyutin missed the line from the edge, correct Rajab. The guests withdrew only thanks to a mistake by our finisher, and then the Nizhnevartovsk block closed Milan Katic.

After a time-out and an individual conversation with the head coach, the Serbian gave the perfect welcome, and Ozhiganov organized the first tempo with Tarasenko, who obviously had a game going today. Basil, true, then the serve is sent out - 21:23. But immediately the Surgutians score two points in a row - Ionov hits at the first pace, and then, together with Ozhiganov, blocks Militsky. However, “Samotlor” was withdrawn after Rajab’s powerful serve, who did not find the blocking hands on set point - 23:25.
The defeat only emboldened the hosts, Gazprom-Yugra simply beat out its neighbors in the fourth set. The reception and block worked perfectly, Ozhiganov passed the ball in a variety of ways without fail – 8:3, 16:9, 21:11, and 25:14. Game summary 3:1, a huge advantage in the center of the net (14:5) and excellent offensive numbers (48% against 39%).

Valery Pyaskovsky, head coach of VC "Ugra-Samotlor": Lost because of our dirty game, a lot of errors. This doesn't allow for an even playing field.. In the third game we played more cleanly in defense, that's why we won. And the fourth is a series of mistakes, good block of Surgut, plus several attacks out of bounds, that's the difference for you. It's hard to catch up.

Denys Harkushenko, head coach of the EC "Gazprom-Ugra": I want to thank the fans, we tried to win today, still the first home game. There was excitement, but the guys are great, coped with the excitement, the first two games played confidently. Then we relaxed a little, a few of his mistakes raised the spirit of his opponent and the swing began. But well done again, in the fourth game they did this, what do you need.

Gazprom-Yugra (Surgut) 3: 1 Ugra-Samotlor (Nizhnevartovsk)

match stats

Details

Date	Time	Championship
22.09.2023	19:00	KR 2023

Results

Team	1	2	3	4	GENERAL.
Gazprom-Yugra (Surgut)	25	25	23	25	3
Ugra-Samotlor (Nizhnevartovsk)	21	16	25	14	1

Venue

g. Surgut / SC "Premier Arena"

Gazprom-Yugra (Surgut)

1	2	3	4	5	S	K	E	FACING	B	PTS
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Ugra-Samotlor (Nizhnevartovsk)

1	2	3	4	5	S	K	E	FACING	B	PTS
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0