Volleyball: Kazan is too strong, Monza raises the white flag

Monza-Kazan 1-3 (14-25, 20-25, 25-19, 19-25) Too much Zenit Kazan for Monza. Vero Volley surrenders to the Russians in the first leg of the Cev Cup at the Monza Arena, not without fighting and growing in an evening of perennial difficulty in reception. But the Zenit is more complete, with the energy of Dmitrii Volkov (19 points), the surgical precision of the Mikhailov totem and greater physicality. Excellent for Monza Grozer (18), and the central players when Orduna can involve them, while Dzavoronok is discontinuous and Davyskiba out of the game. Next Wednesday in Russia (except for Cev decisions, the Monza team asked for a dispute on the neutral field, which also Perugia, which must go to St. Petersburg), will require a miracle to reach the final. Eccheli in a typical formation with Orduna-Grozer diagonally, Beretta-Galassi central, Dzavoronok-Davyskiba spikers and Federici free. Verbov sends Chrisenson on the pitch at the start opposite Mikhailov, Dmitrii Volkov and Bednorz in the band, Volvich and Alexander Volkov in the middle with Fedorov free. More decisive start of the guests, ahead 2-6 with Dmitrii Volkov at 3. Orduna relies on Grozer (4 out of 7 in attack), but has little from the rest (4/19, even with Katic inside for Davyskiba), while the Russians they also begin to hammer on the serve (ace from Mikhailov and Volkov himself), and Christenson can choose as he sees fit despite a not very lucid Bednorz. From 13-18 Zenit extends and closes a one-way set 14-25. Despite a discontinuous Bednorz, Zenit is a machine that always plays on velvet, but Monza mends (13-15) by touching something more on the wall and avoiding crashing on the opponent’s one. Two consecutive aces by Mikhailov at the turn of a Monza timeout are worth 15-20, Grozer responds to the first Brianza ace of the match (17-20) which forces Verbov to timeout. Beretta’s block on Bednorz (20-23) shows that Monza is still alive, but Dmitrii Volkov (11 points with 11 attacks, a block and an ace in two sets) closes 20-25. True Volley does not give up, with Dzavoronok more lucid and above all unstoppable Grozer tries to escape 11-8 (3 points almost in a row by the German). In the moment of difficulty, Christenson looks for Mikhailov, but when the Russian opposite is also stopped by the great wall of Dzavoronok, the locals begin to believe it (14-11). With the Zenit that does not pass more power and that struggles to vary the shots, Galassi closes 25-19 reopening the race, with the guest bands at 1/13 in attack in the fraction. Bednorz enters the game, but Monza is still ahead (8-6, but 3 by the Pole), because Beretta and his teammates touch a lot. Verbov throws Konokov for Alexander Volkov in the center, who shows up with two points in overtaking Zenit (8-9). Volkov’s outburst (5 points in 11-13), Bednorz’s “defense” point for 12-17, when Davyskiba returns to Katic. But it’s too late and Zenit closes 19-25. (Rodolfo Palermo)

OK women

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Vice versa Scandicci engaged in Turkey in the first leg of the Challenge Cup for women, returns with a success gained at the tiebreak and a comeback for the team coached by Massimo Barbolini. Aydin BBSK was defeated 2-3 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 18-25, 10-15), with an extraordinary Antropova who scored 29 points, while Sorokaite collected 20. Next week the return match to inverted fields.