Light, freely, boldly

"Zenit-Kazan": Christensen - Mihailov, Volkov – Deru, Volvich - Romanovsky, Fedorov/Chanchikov

"Gazprom-Ugra": Ozhiganov – Rudnev, Rodichev – Korotaev, Krsmanovich - Shevlyakov, Obmochaev

The match began with an ace from Vadim Ozhiganov - the setter shortened the serve into Sam Daru's area of ​​responsibility. The next break was organized by Krsmanovich with a serve to Volvich - the freeball was converted by Shevlyakov, 4:2. Then Volvich organized a series of problems at the reception for Korotaev: on a floating technique, Ozhiganov was unable to squeeze a kill out of the attackers, had to wait for the opponent's mistake, 6:9. Mikhailov's ace and Rudnev's shot into touch lead to a two-fold advantage for the hosts (6:12) Rudneva and Shahbanmirzayev's place.

Krsmanovic scores twice, eating up one gap break, and after a couple of setups, the Surgut team shipped six points to the warehouse at once - it all started with a block on Mikhailov in a protracted rally. Then Rajab came out to serve and spoiled Christensen’s finishing, on the given balls the Kazan team hit the block (Derulo), to the network (Mikhailov) and out (Deru again). 16:16!

But then the picture turned around again 180 degrees: Volvich again torments Korotaev with gliders, and on difficult balls the hosts’ block cannot be beaten by Rajab and Rodichev twice, 16:20. After a time-out and Shevlyakov's discount, Gazprom-Yugra leaves Volvich's serve and exchanges points until the mark 20:23, after which Korotaev pulls the team at arm's length with an ace. Verbov is forced to take a time out, which works - Korotaev serves into touch and Zenit has three set points. Two Surgut residents win back: Rajab is filming, and Shevlyakov blocks Volvich’s attack with a block, but Artem’s second strike brings success to the hosts, what is called, by a thread.

The beginning of the second set and again an ace from Ozhiganov, this time done in a forceful manner, 2:0. And again we begin to swing the “swing”, "flying away" 7:10. On Ozhiganov's ace (9:10) Kononov responds with a serve straight through (9:12), an ace from Korotaev brings us back into the fight, 11:13. And then Rodichev’s twist past the block into the empty zone indicates the seriousness of his intentions, 12:13. Teams are once again trading on rent, until Rudnev comes out to serve and organizes a knocked out technique with a passing ball. Ozhiganov finishes off on a clean net, but - pure bad luck - the ball just barely touches the antenna. Instead of parity (17:17) we get a psychological problem, which Rafael Khabibullin is trying to treat with a time-out. Does not exceed: now a pure marriage of Ozhiganov with the height of the pass to Korotaev and a clear answer from Volkov, 16:19.

Deru does not implement the pipe, we fight off Mikhailov’s attack and Rajab decides on the hands of the blockers, 20:21. Volkov, it seems, still drags Zenit to victory - 20:23, and Rajab's mistake sounds like a death sentence, 20:24. But... Christensen can't handle the serve, Mikhailov does not beat the block on the withdrawn ball, and then Mike tries to finish the same way, as in the first set - through Volvich. Bad idea - Artem is softened twice, and Radzhab and Rodichev even the chances, 24:24. But Krasikov, who came out for reinforcement, slightly misses the ball into the court, but Volkov is perfect on serve, 24:26.

Third set, 3:3 after Rodichev's billiard shot on the withdrawn ball. This is where Volkov comes in., organizing two aces with variable serves (3:6). Instead of the slowed down Rajab, Rudnev returns to the site, and the account is already 5:9. Ace, who came out instead of Deru Labinsky - 7:12. But today we are no stranger to catching up with champions: another ace by Korotaev, then we stop Volkov twice in one play, and Kononov hits out, 12:13. Further more: Krsmanovich chehlit Volkova, Korotaev knocks Labinsky out of the move, 14:13.

Verbov exchanges Labinsky for Dera, but Krsmanovic blocked the sky, this time Kononov was stopped. Once again we catch Volkov with a block and Rudnev’s counterattack - 16:13! Werbow time out, another breaking serve from Korotaev, Krsmanovic's attack on the passing ball... stopped by a block from Christensen. Ozhiganov allows the central player to rehabilitate himself, Peter twice correct, 17:14. Volkov serves perfectly - Rodichev takes it “on the nose” and scores, 18:15. But Labinsky, who has returned to the front line, realizes his physical power, and Rodichev’s condition is still far from ideal, 18:18. at level 19:19 Surgut residents stop with Labinsky block, but at the cost of touching the grid. Another key long play ends with Krsmanovic's shot wide of the court, 21:23. Immediately Volvich gives an ace to Obmochaev. Again 21:24 and the chase is planned again - the hosts failed to throw the ball after defending against Rudnev’s attack. The decisive ball this time Christensen trusts Mikhailov and he drives the ball “under the skin” of the blocker, 22:25.

I liked the game: she was alive. Against the Zenit base, who played "for all the money", Surgutians performed easily, freely, untied, daring and... lacked experience, skill, the same safety margin, which is formed by the class of players. Eliminate two or three unforced errors in each set., add a little Rodichev, who hasn't played for God knows how long... Optimistic defeat. Everything will be fine with us.

Zenit-Kazan (Kazan) 3: 0 Gazprom-Yugra (Surgut)

match stats

Details

Date	Time	Championship
20.12.2023	21:00	CR 2023-2024

Results

Team	1	2	3	GENERAL.
Zenit-Kazan (Kazan)	25	26	25	3
Gazprom-Yugra (Surgut)	23	24	22	0

Venue

g. Kazan
Volleyball Center \"St. Petersburg", 1, Midhata Bulatova Street, 33-th Military town, Farm-2, Privolzhsky district, Kazan, Kazan city district, Tatarstan, Volga Federal District, 420011, Russia

Zenit-Kazan (Kazan)

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

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