Another rematch

"Gazprom-Ugra" (Surgut): Kirillov - Shahbanmirzaev, Shevlyakov – Kurbatov, Rodichev – Korotaev, Obmochaev/Nagaets

"Kuzbass" (Kemerovo): Krechetov – Petkovich, Chereisky – Lobyzenko, Pakshin - Markin, Golubev/Kashtanov

Surgut center blocker Petar Krsmanovich suffered a serious hand injury during training and was out for an indefinite period.. Against this not the most rosy backdrop, the hosts started the match extremely poorly: with three aces from Alexander Markin and an ace from Denis Chereisky, 1:6. But Maxim Kirillov accepted the challenge to the micro-tournament of acemen (two tries straight) and Ivan Korotaev with one ace and a knocked out technique, which Shevlyakov closed, 7:8.

Kirillov takes Petkovich's discount, Rajab equalizes the score, 9:9. Kuzbass' reception continues to limp on both legs: Rodichev scores a passing goal, Rajab converts the end of the game, Kurbatov catches the zone with Chereisky on a low pass, another passing ball is handled by Korotaev, 15:12. Another break due to poor finishing – Krechetov tried to save the ball, but sent him out, 17:14.

When entering the end, Rajab catches Petkovic with a block (20:17). Rodichev, with experience, insures Radjab's shot on the block and scores under the baseline, 21:18. Vadim Ozhiganov comes out to serve: Kurbatov closes Lobyzenko + ace, 23:18. Alexey Babeshin's mirror response with the release of setter Slavi Kostadinov also leads to a point from the serve, but that's all: Rajab is filming, and Alexander Markin hits out, 25:20

In the second set, the Surgut team lost serve and overall played rather dirty. Krechetov began successfully practicing pipe with Pakshin, Petkovic worked skillfully with his hands, the guest block didn't sleep either. After Rodichev and Rajab knocked on his door, Ozhiganov came out to pass instead of Kirillov (3:8). But now Gazprom-Yugra’s reception is poor, and Rajab copes with emergency balls every other time, 5:10. Nikita Nagaets stretches in defense, but Korotaev doesn’t beat the block either, 7:12. Ozhiganov scores beautifully from the second touch, but two pipes by Pakshin in a row at the end of protracted rallies bring Kuzbass even more tangible superiority, 9:17. Korotaev snaps with three excellent serves: two aces and a forced discount by Krechetov into a block, 13:17. Rudnev, served well, helps get another break for Rajab, but at Kuzbass the block started working again, in attack Lobyzenko, 15:22. Rajab tries to get a hold of the game - scores on the line and scores an ace, 17:22, but the Surgut residents’ own marriage crossed everything out: at first Nagaets overdid it with finishing on the net, and on the set point the passing ball literally fell on the heads of the Surgut team, who never figured it out, who should play him, 18:25. Too many "buts", to fight for victory.

In the third set the hosts took the lead 4:1, which led to the replacement of Krechetov with Kostadinov. Ace Petkovich left Kemerovo in the race (5:4), responds with a serve into the line through Kurbatov, 8:5. Next, the opponents systematically and one by one fail to cope with the serve, having made three errors in this element, between which the guests catch up: Rajab again fails to cope with the block and Ozhiganov comes out to pass instead of Kirillov. is he, properly, and decides the outcome of the game with a series of powerful serves, including an ace and two freeballs, 19:14. Alexey Babeshin takes two timeouts and completely changes the line of players: Asparukh Asparukhov and Kirill Fialkovsky. Only the second break helps to take off. Opponents fight selflessly in defense, but the hosts are approaching the finishing line with a good margin: 23:18 after Petkovic's throw-in. Then the guests manage to get three points in a row - Asparukhov scores a pipe, Korotaev took a simple serve from Fialkovsky to the opponent’s side, Rajab misses the ball.

At the right moment, Rajab hammers the ball in on one block. (24:21), Asparukhov scores on the third try (24:22), in the next set point play the visitors have a chance again, but Petkovich runs into the hands of Radjab and Korotaev, 25:22.

In the fourth set, Ozhiganov's ace (2:1) Pakshin, who returned to the site, answers symmetrically (4:4), and then the guests stopped serving. Nine errors per set, and the ninth was at the mark 17:17. Kuzbass confidently held production, but I didn’t even set this same task for the Surgut residents. In turn, The hosts' search for break balls also took a long time. The denouement came after, how Rodichev once again equalized the score with a left-handed shot around the block (19:19). Petkovic's freeball attack is softened by a block - Rajab scores the end of the game. Similar work of the block according to Asparukhov - Rodichev under the “skin”, 21:19. Pakshin is unstoppable with a pipe again, Rodichev responds with a jewelry stroke of the block in high gear, 22:20. And... two aces by Rajab without a chance for the receivers! Rodichev puts the point in winning back from the block.

Thus, after the victory over ASK, the Surgut team takes a second revenge for their defeat in the first round. Good trend!

"Gazprom-Ugra" fought as best he could:

Coach of VK Kuzbass Yuri Zinko: To us today, of course, lacked stability and conversion of simple goals. This is what, which gives confidence to the opponent. Well, of course, when we don't serve seven times before the count 14 in the fourth set, we can't win. In the first game we lead 5:1, and then lost this advantage by converting simple goals. Later, when Ozhiganov was breaking up, it was very difficult to fight with such speed. Dusan Petkovic looked stable in the end, and somewhere the bustle in the final game on freeball - it was, it seems to me, turning point. This comes from training, what we will work on in the future. Surgut always plays well at home, I understand perfectly, that we are a good irritant.

Captain of the Kuzbass VC Alexander Markin: In general, our latest games are all difficult. Probably, we are now in decline, and psychological, and physical. At some points we hold on, then we start to fail closer to the end, didn't score too many extras, couldn't stand the reception, and against the backdrop of fatigue, they began to make a lot of mistakes on serve. Probably, this is the problem and the reason for the defeat. Surgut played well, defended himself well, their serve was flying as it should. Well done, with victory.

Senior coach of VC "Gazprom-Yugra" Denys Harkushenko: Emotions prevailed today, Well done guys - thanks to emotions, dedication, plus the support of the fans, we won today. Thank you to the fans, the hall was shaking. In the first set there were a lot of mistakes on not so difficult serves, simple balls fell for us too, and they... In the fourth set, the team’s selfless play helped, plus Lehi’s experience in the end (Alexey Rodichev) affected, scored a much needed goal. Plus two aces from Raja (Rajabdibira Shahbanmirzaeva). Although everything could have ended easier, because Kuzbass began to take risks on serve and did not serve eight times during the game (actually nine - approx.. order.).

Krsmanovica, of course, wasn't enough, and his experience, and even according to statistics, we played at the first tempo much less, than usual. But those central players, which came out today, did their job: minimum errors, contributed to the victory.

Central blocking VC "Gazprom-Yugra" Dmitry Shevlyakov: Thanks to our fans! We expected to win at home, wanted to take revenge on Kuzbass. We still have our little rotation problems., but we did it. All the boys came out well, we really wanted, were burning, and in the end they won. Peter, of course, not replace, but also Dima and I (Kurbatov), I hope, worked well today. We reach for Peter, he is like our teacher, and we are his students. But, I think, we'll catch up with him soon.

Gazprom-Yugra (KhMAO-Yugra) 3: 1 Kuzbass (Kemerovo)

match stats

Details

Date	Time	Championship
03.02.2024	19:00	CR 2023-2024

Results

Team	1	2	3	4	GENERAL.
Gazprom-Yugra (KhMAO-Yugra)	25	18	25	25	3
Kuzbass (Kemerovo)	20	25	22	21	1

Venue

g. Surgut / SC "Premier Arena"

Gazprom-Yugra (KhMAO-Yugra)

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

Kuzbass (Kemerovo)

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