When two Russian teams got into the same group at the Club World Championship in Poland, and even together with the powerful Italian Lube Civitanova, it became clear that, most likely, only one team from Russia would be in the semi-finals. Already after the second round, the assumption was confirmed. With one caveat: Novy Urengoy Fakel, a debutant of the tournament, will continue the fight for the title, while Zenit Kazan is resigning its champion powers.
Team's first major tournament Vladimir Alekno without Wilfredo Leona turned into a fiasco. Not without a collective eclipse and blatant judicial arbitrariness. And "Torch" with a whole scattering of young Russian volleyball players does not recognize authorities and flares up brighter.
"Zenith" starts, "Lube" catches up
The unexpected defeat of Zenit by Fakel on the first day of the Club World Cup generously splashed fuel on the fire of intrigue in Group A. To avoid a sensational failure and reach the semi-finals, Kazan had to beat Lyube Civitanova. The Italians played earlier than the Russians in the first round and, accordingly, got more time to recover. But Alekno's squad had nowhere to retreat. The defeat left only mathematical chances to leave the group.
"Zenith" great start to the meeting. Alexey Samoilenko two blocks per Tsvetane Sokolov brought his team an advantage, and excellent serves Maxim Mikhailov And Erwen Ngapet made the superiority of the Russians impressive - 14:9. The opponent tried to catch up in the score, but Mikhailov and Ngapet unmistakably realized their chances in attack - 25:20. At the start of the second batch, the Zenit team found an antidote against attacks Osmani Juantoreni and took the lead, but Lube came to the rescue with a serve. Everything was decided in the end, where Zenit was prevented by mistakes Matthew Anderson on the pitch and in attack, and also not the best reception of Ngapeth.
“Not a Zenith day. How "Torch" lifted the Kazan curse
Fakel unexpectedly defeated Zenit at the Club World Championship. Will the semi-final be held without Kazan?
Fatal mistakes of "Zenith" and judges
In the third set, the teams were again level until the last draws. Did not affect the game and the loss of a setter by the Italians Bruno Resende, who injured his finger after running into a billboard. The emerging breakthrough of Zenit was interrupted by good pitches Enrico Chester, but still the set remained with Kazan. Alekno at the end of the game released to the site Vadim Likhosherstov. The blocker famously attacked with the first pace and sheathed Sokolov twice, including on the set ball. In the fourth set, the Italians again worked the joker in the person of Chester. Three times knocking out Zenit from the reception, he predetermined the outcome of the game. Andrey Surmachevsky ace won back one set point, but Simon's attack turned the match into a tie-break.
In the fifth set, Zenit immediately got down to business. Excellent defense of Verbov and Butko, accurate attacks by Mikhailov and Ngapet, Samoylenko's block ensured a super-convincing advantage for the Russians - 14:9. What happened after that cannot be explained otherwise than by a collective eclipse. Kazanians then stumbled upon an impenetrable block Robertlandy Simone, then attacked out of bounds. The colossal advantage was lost in a couple of minutes - 14:14.
Once on the edge of the abyss, "Zenith" woke up and began to resist, but then the referee arrived in time to help "Lyuba Civitanova" Rogerio Espicalski. The Brazilian, with a score of 17:17, first gave a point to Kazan, but after loud dissatisfaction with the Italians, he changed his mind, fixing Butko's game on the wrong side of the net. The repetitions clearly make it clear that there was no violation, but the reciprocal indignation of Alekno's wards remained without the attention of the refereeing team.
Of course, it is easiest to attribute the failure of Zenit to a secret conspiracy against the hegemony of the Russian team that has bothered the rest of the world, but the Club World Cup has always been distinguished by its peculiar refereeing. Who better than Kazan to know that in this tournament you need to decide everything yourself. And the champion of Russia did an excellent job with this task ... Until the score was 14:9.
"Torch" loses endings
Even after losing the second match in a row, Zenit retained a chance of reaching the semi-finals. To do this, Kazan needed the defeat of the "Fakel" from the Polish "Skra". But the team Camillo Lament, having won the most important victory in its history, was not going to stop there. True, the plans of the Poles also did not include early departure from the home tournament, and therefore the spectators of the arena in Plock witnessed the second five-set thriller of the evening, and at the same time another record. Fakel and Zenit in the first round played the longest match in the history of the Club World Cup - 2 hours and 23 minutes. Zenit and Lyube Civitanova updated their achievement by spending two minutes more on the court, but this record fell already in the next meeting.
In the first set, the hosts more than once went ahead by two points. "Torch" either kept at this distance, or equalized the score, but in the end, "Skra" left the game behind - 25:23. The Yamal team started the second set powerfully after the attack Dmitry Volkov received a good advantage - 10:6, but the Poles improved their defense and improved their game on the block, thanks to which they evened out the situation. The most important ending of the second game took place like a swing. Fakel led 20:18, then lost 22:24, but with the help of Volkov's block and attack, he won back two set points and was one step away from winning himself - 25:24. Excitement prevented both teams from playing cleanly, but the Poles turned out to be stronger in the battle of nerves – 29:27.
Comeback Specialists
"Torch" was clearly discouraged, which the opponent did not fail to take advantage of. The northerners were constantly making mistakes and by the middle of the set they were already losing 12:19. Along with the approaching defeat, the chances of the Lach team to reach the semi-finals were also melting, while Zenit, on the contrary, got a chance to save. But then Volkov stood up to serve at Torch and inspired his partners to comeback with an impeccable introduction of the ball into the game. Soon there was no trace left of the total dominance of Skra. It would be unfair if the feat of will and character were useless. "Torch" took the set in a valid ending after Egor Klyuka's effective attack - 30:28.
In the fourth game, Torch already had a psychological advantage. After an equal start, the Yamal team rushed forward on innings Dmitry Kolenkovsky And Ivan Yakovlev. The Poles tried to organize a chase, but they often made mistakes, but the attack of the Russians almost never failed. Kluka put an end to the set - 25:21.Club World Volleyball Championship
Men
Group A. 2nd round
Lube Civitanova (Italy) - Zenit (Kazan, Russia) - 3:2 (20:25, 25:22, 24:26, 25:23, 19:17)
"Fakel" (Novy Urengoy, Russia) - "Skra" (Poland) - 3:2 (23:25, 27:29, 30:28, 25:21, 21:19).And again, already in the third match in a week, Novy Urengoy had to play a tie-break. In meetings with "Kuzbass" in the Superleague and with "Zenith" in the club world championship, the fifth games were successful for the Lach team. In the middle of the tie-break with Skroy, there were fears that the trick would fail a third time. Ace Vlazhly brought the advantage of the Poles to four points - 8:4, but even here the young Russian team did not flinch. Another tense ending. The hosts were the first to reach the match points, but Fakel quickly seized the initiative and ended the super match in their favor from the fifth time. Volleyball players tortured each other for 2 hours and 40 minutes. That is, in two days the Fakel players spent more than five hours on the court. And pulled out two crazy battles. One can only envy the character of a daring team!
"Torch" almighty. Novy Urengoy remains undefeated in the Super League
In the meeting of the two most promising teams of the Russian championship, Kuzbass was close to victory, but Fakel pulled out a difficult match.
Further without "Zenith"
After the final draw, the players and coaches of Fakel poured out on the court full of joy, and Kazan Zenit realized that the tournament was over for it at this point. Wards of Vladimir Alekno participated in the club world championship for the seventh time and for the first time were left out of the semi-finals. Whether this is directly related to the departure of Leon remains to be seen, but one way or another, the competition in Poland for Zenit turned into a collapse of hopes for defending the title.
Now all the attention of Russian fans will be directed to Fakel. On Wednesday, our team has a day off, which is very useful after two long fights, and on Thursday the main sensation of the tournament will compete for the first place in the group with the Italian Lube Civitanova. Before the start of the championship, Fakel's coach noted that the team itself did not fully understand its capabilities. Now it seems that they are limitless.
The World Championships in Volleyball among women's and men's teams have ended. The next major tournament in the schedule of classical volleyball players will be the Club World Championship. Men will play the competition November 26 - December 2 in Poland, and women - December 4-9 in China.
The group phase of the men's World Cup will be held in the cities of Radom and Rzeszow. The semi-finals and finals of the tournament will be hosted by the city of Częstochowa. Poland will be represented by the club Skra (Belchatow), which entered the top four teams of the Club World Championship 2017, as well as Asseco Resovia who received a wild card.
In addition to two Polish teams, six more teams representing Europe, Asia and South America will take part in the KChM.
VK will defend the title "Zenith-Kazan". Last December Russian club finally won the tournament after bronze (2009, 2011) and silver (2015, 201:()) medals.
South America will traditionally be represented by "Cruzeiro Gardens" from Brazil. This team is a three-time winner of the Club World Championship and a bronze medalist of the 2017 competition.
Iran will enter the fight for the crown in the person of a debutant "Khatam Ardakan", winner of the Asian Club Championship. Having taken the second place in the regular championship of the country, the team will try to win the second Club World Cup medal for their country (the first is the bronze of Paikan 2010).
Volleyball World Championship 2018 wild card men's clubs received "Kuchine Lube"(Civitanova). This team lost all matches for the first place last season: Club World Championship, Champions League, Championship and Coppa Italia.
Russia will also be represented in the tournament "Torch" (New Urengoy). The fourth invitation went to the four-time world champion "Trentino Valley".
The 2018 Club World Volleyball Championship (women) will begin two days after the end of the men's championship - on December 4th. All matches will be held in Shaoxing City. The host country will be represented by the club "Zhejiang".
"Vakifbank" will defend the title while also aiming for a third gold medal in a row (and fifth overall). The Turkish club represents Europe as the reigning champions of the Champions League.
Brazil will be represented by two clubs. One of them is "Minas Tenis Club", Club Championship winner South America. The second is the champion of Brazil Praia Club who became the owner of the wild card.
Asia will be represented in the tournament by two more teams, in addition to Zhejiang. "Supreme Chonburi" from Thailand is the current champion of the continent, and "Altai" received another wild card from Kazakhstan.
The last two wild cards went to the representatives of Europe. The winners were two-time world champion ZhVK «Edzhzadzhibashi Vitra» from Turkey and "Volero Le Cannet" from France. The last participant is an old acquaintance of Volero from Zurich, who moved to another country.
“Not a Zenith day. How "Torch" lifted the Kazan curse
Fakel unexpectedly defeated Zenit at the Club World Championship. Will the semi-final be held without Kazan?
Zenit Kazan entered the 2018/19 season as the current owner of five trophies at once. The long-awaited success at the Club World Championship was added to the usual victories in the championship, the Cup, the Russian Super Cup and the Champions League. For the first title defense in Poland, the team Vladimir Alekno went as one of the big favourites, but the Club World Cup loves surprises.
The 14th draw of the tournament promises to be special for Russian volleyball. For the first time, two teams from Russia are fighting for the title of the best club on the planet at once - Zenit as the winner of the Champions League and Fakel from Novy Urengoy as the owner of a special invitation from the organizers. And it must happen that both of our clubs not only found themselves in the same group, but were forced to play each other in the very first round.
"Zenith" and "Torch" ignited not like a child, and the result of the match provided the maximum intrigue in the fight for reaching the semi-finals.
They did it! Zenit won the World Cup
In a magnificent final, the Kazan team beat the Italian club Lube Civitanova.
The Fearless Beginning of "Torch"
The Club World Cup is a specific tournament. The fleeting format and the unusual style of play of opponents from other continents also have an effect. But "Torch" in the company of the best clubs in the world was not going to be hushed up, although the squad had hatred moods Camillo Lament did not have. Before the start of the competition, the Italian mentor admitted that his team itself did not fully understand its capabilities, but at the same time emphasized that Fakel was not afraid of anyone.
Cry was not cunning - the team from Novy Urengoy started the first match in its history at the Club World Championship very confidently, there was no noticeable fear in the actions of the Yamal residents. Good pitches Egor Kluki and powerful attacks Arthur Udris helped Fakel get a four-point lead by the middle of the first set, but Zenit quickly caught up with the opponent thanks to a series of innings Maxim Mikhailov. The teams got to a tense ending, where the glider, which was inconvenient for opponents, tilted the scales to the side of the Torch Dmitry Kolenkovsky. And the setball is next with a strong blow implemented by Udris.
"Torch" almighty. Novy Urengoy remains undefeated in the Super League
In the meeting of the two most promising teams of the Russian championship, Kuzbass was close to victory, but Fakel pulled out a difficult match.
"Torch" is not a timid dozen
Wards of Lach did not slow down and after the middle of the second game they earned a good advantage - 18:15, but Kazan, realizing the significance of this set, did not let go of the opponent, and in the stubborn ending snatched the victory after a beautiful blow Erwen Ngapet. The third game also went without a clear advantage of one of the teams, however, closer to its completion, the Torch players began to make more mistakes than the Kazan players took advantage of with pleasure.
Club World Volleyball Championship
Men
Group A. 1st round
Skra (Poland) - Lube Civitanova (Italy) - 1:3 (21:25, 25:22, 21:25, 25:27)
Zenit (Kazan, Russia) - Fakel (Novy Urengoy, Russia) - 2:3 (23:25, 28:26, 25:21, 22:25, 11:15)
Group B. 1st round
Trentino (Italy) - Khatam Erdekan (Iran) - 3:0 (25:19, 25:15, 25:19)
Resovia (Poland) - Cruzeiro Gardens (Brazil) - 3:2 (23:25, 25:18, 25:23, 24:26, 17:15).
It seemed that in the fourth set, the current winner of the club world championship will squeeze the frustrated newcomer, but the northerners did not even think of giving up. Cool Serves Andrey Ananiev coupled with the confident play of partners in attack and on the block, they helped Fakel organize a breakaway. By the finish line, Zenit almost made a comeback, but Kluki's aces, the first pace Ivan Yakovlev and attack Dmitry Volkov extended the enjoyment of the game to the fans.
At the tie-break, volleyball players from Novy Urengoy, charged with positive energy, played powerfully and accurately, while Kazan started having problems on serve. Artyom Volvich made a mistake when putting the ball into play, Maxim Mikhailov the Yamal team sheathed with a block, and Yakovlev gave out an ace in the match point.
Parent category: Tournaments Trentino Diatec captain Matey Kaziyski led his team to a third consecutive victory in this tournament. Final of the 2011 FIVB World Club Championship. The Italian club, after losing 29:31, managed to gather strength and confidently bring the match to victory (25:16, 25:11, 25:16). Look online match: Views: 4447Lucky number of Novy Urengoy
Fakel not only defeated the strongest team on the planet in its first match at the club world championship, but also interrupted an unpleasant streak of 12 defeats against Kazan. It was the 13th meeting with Zenit that became happy for the players of Lament. After the match, the Italian admitted that he did not expect such a cool game from his guys, and also clarified that he still considers Kazan to be the main favorite of the tournament. In its turn Vladimir Alekno said that it was not the day of "Zenith", complained about the weak game on the pitch and the block, and called the only positive moment that "the youth on the other side is already showing results."
The disappointment of the Zenit mentor is understandable, but nothing terrible happened to his team. The chances of reaching the semi-finals are by no means lost, although there is no more room for error. The more difficult it will be for the Italian Lyuba Civitanova and the Polish Skre, who will fall under the hot hand of the Kazan team, which is not used to losing in the next rounds. It is important for Fakel not to spill emotions and keep concentration for the next matches. I remember that after the victory over Dynamo Moscow in the semi-final of the Russian Cup, Plachi literally forbade his players to rejoice. Surely something like this experienced coach he will do it after the victory over Zenit, but this time it will be more difficult not to succumb to euphoria.
The Brazilians are on the schedule of "Zenith"
In another match in Plock, opponents fought Russian teams in group A. The Italian "Lube Civitanova" showed why this particular team is called the main competitor of "Zenith" in the fight for the title. Leal, Juantorena, Sokolov, Simon and Bruno Resende crushed the Polish Skru with a powerful game. No matter how hard the world champions Mariusz Vlazhly And Arthur Shalpuk, the Polish club failed to catch at least the fifth set.
In general, this draw of the Club World Cup is distinguished by a large representation of European teams. Of the eight participants, only the Brazilian "Sada Cruzeiro" and the Iranian "Hatam Erdekan" perform outside their home continent. Perhaps acclimatization also affected the failures of these teams in the first round. The Iranians could not oppose anything to the Italian Trentino, and the three-time champions of the competition from the Cruzeiro Garden, to the delight of the public in Rzeszow, lost to the local Resovia. The teams presented the fans with a hurricane thriller, the denouement of which was the minimal advantage of the Poles in the tie-break - 17:15.
Zenit and Sada Cruzeiro started the tournament with defeats, but they still have a chance to rectify the situation. All the most important and interesting ahead.
World Championship (Club) 2011. Men. Zenit (Russia) - Cesi (Brazil). (Match for 3rd place)
Parent category: Tournaments Kazan zenith took bronze in a difficult victory over brazilian team CECI at the Club Volleyball World Cup with a score 3:1 (19:25, 25:20, 25:23, 25:23) . Watch online: Views: 4421World Championship (Club) 2011. Men. Zenit(Russia) - Trintiy Western Spartans (Canada)
Parent category: Tournaments Third match group stage Club World Championship in volleyball among men. It is interesting that this tournament began to be held only in 2010. Before that, it was last held in 1994. The tournament is held between the strongest club teams 5 continental confederations. 8 teams participate in the preliminary stage, which are divided into 2 groups. And then leaves the group of two teams that took 1st and 2nd place, respectively. The semi-finals, the match for third place and, in fact, the final are played out. Watch online: Zenit won with a score of 3:0 (25:11,25:15,25:16). Views: 2695The Club World Cup is coming to an end in Poland. Gold is played by the Italians.
Czestochowa (Poland)
1/2 finals.
Lube Civitanova (Italy) - Rzeszow (Poland) - 3:1 (29:31, 25:19, 25:14, 25:23).
"Trentino (Italy) - Fakel (Russia) - 3:1 (22:25, 25:14, 25:16, 25:19).
Match for 3rd place. Fakel - Rzeszow - 3:1 (19:25, 25:20, 25:23, 25:23).
Let's start with the main one: Kazan "Zenith"- no more best club in the world. At least for a year. Vladimir Alekno I have been hunting for the Club World Cup for a very long time and finally got it last season. However, the current champions of Russia failed to stay on top. Furthermore, "Zenith-Kazan" didn't even leave the group. They did not allow the lack of concentration in the end of the game with the Italian "Lube Civitanova" And… Novy Urengoy "Torch". But first things first.
How did two clubs from Russia appear at the tournament?
The FIFA Club World Cup has gone through a major transformation this season. If earlier the winners of the club championships of the continents took part in the tournament, and invitations were given only to the strongest teams in terms of rating, now the tournament has set foot on a commercial path. The current format continues to feature the winners of the European, South American and Asian Champions Leagues plus the host club. But the other four places are for sale. According to Sport BO, the price of an entrance ticket is 150,000 euros. And such an amount scared away, for example, "Perugia"- the champion of Italy, who managed to lure him from Zenit in the offseason Wilfredo Leona.
But the fourth team of Italy and the sixth team of Poland found funds - "Trentino" And "Rzeszow" respectively. To the complete surprise of the management "Torches", the corresponding proposal was received by them. After long internal discussions, the decision was made: to agree. This is how Fakel, which finished sixth in the Super League last season and did not qualify for European competition and never played in the Champions League at all, found itself in the company of the strongest clubs in the world. And it didn't get lost at all!
December 2nd. Czestochowa. "Torch" - "Rzeszow" - 3:1. Camillo Cry in the arms of his players. Photo FIVB
Zenit lost five match points in a row
In the first game of the group stage "Torch", the tone in which the leaders of the Russian team set Dmitry Volkov And Egor Klyuka, proved that he was not invited in vain. Novy Urengoy team defeated the current champion of the tournament in five sets - "Zenith".
You can't really call it a sensation. "Torch" now they are really on the move: six victories in a row in the Super League, the first in 12 years to reach the Final Four of the Cup of Russia. Plus Kazan without Leona no longer look as indestructible as with him. In addition, they, as he later admits Alekno, a little underestimated Siberians. All this led to this result.
It was only then that few would have thought that "Zenith" will still lose next match. Team Alekno she didn’t lose in Europe for seasons, and in order to find out when she made two misfires in a row, you generally need to raise The Tale of Bygone Years. But, alas, it looks like a new volleyball calendar will begin with this tournament. Kazan managed to lose to a strongly strengthened in the offseason "Lube Civitanova". "Managed" - because they did it in the most dramatic way. Just imagine: "Zenith" gave a tie-break, in which he led 14:9. A team known for their killer instinct has conceded five match points in a row!
And took off early. The rest of the game "Hide" had no tournament value.
It seemed that there could not be a more emotional match at the tournament. However, he shocked everyone again "Torch". In the game with the same "Hide" the Russians burned 0:2 and 12:19. It would seem, what are the chances here at all? But risky innings Volkova And Kluki, selfless game of blockers - and 30:28 in the game! Fantastic! Then the fourth one was gnawed on the character, and the tie-break ended in general with a score of 21:19. Definitely, such a victory will be included in golden story "Torches".
Bronze!
I really wanted the New Urengoy fairy tale to continue. I had to fight for myself and for "Zenith", which will now surely sweep annoyance at opponents in the Champions League.
However, in the semi-final "Torch" had a hard time. On powerful "Trentino", in which now, in addition to half Italy national team headed by Simone Giannelly perform american Aaron Russell, Serbs Srecko Lisinac And Uros Kovacevic and of course French Libero Zhenya Grebennikov, the Russians no longer had enough strength. Two five-set matches and a short bench also affected. All this led to the fact that a number of players went to the court in a cold state. As a result - 1:3.
Camillo Lament after the semi-finals, he expressed hope that for the match for third place against "Rzeszow" his wards will succeed in gathering their will into a fist. Still, it's not every day that you get to play for the club world championship medals. And they did!
The first set was crumpled. It didn't go well, like the day before, at Kluka - 19:25.
However "Torch" taught that no one gives up so easily. Blockers started up, they began to score important balls Volkov And Arthur Udris, began to correct the statistics Kluka. And the Russians confidently took the second game, and then the third, although they allowed the Poles to win back a couple of set points. The fourth set turned out to be very stubborn, but Novy Urengoy put the squeeze on "Rzeszow". Bravo, "Torch"!
And what a pity that such an original team will not play in European competition this season. Obviously, in terms of their level, the wards Camillo Lament would not have been lost in the Champions League.
