Kazan's Dinamo beat Italian Conegliano 3:2 in the return home game of Round Six, however, according to the results of two games, this was not enough to get into the Champions League Final Four.

After the defeat in the first match in Italy, Dinamo-Kazan encountered a very serious challenge. Now, to make it into the Final Four, the Russians must win 3:0 or 3:1, and then win the "golden set". Last year, they managed to do it fighting against Galatasaray in the CEV Cup. However, are there chances now against the Italian "panthers"?

Both teams entered the game with the same starting lineups as in Treviso. But the Kazan girls obviously did their homework in terms of strengthening the serve. A series of jump serves by Voronkova immediately gave the hosts 7:2 lead. Thanks to strong spikes by the Kazan strikers, the team had a commanding lead in the first set — 20:11.

However, during the break, the guests managed to reel from the hot reception of the Kazan team, and the fight commenced — 8:6. Then the Italians successfully blocked their rivals several times and pulled away — 14:18. A complex serve by Kotikova helped reduce the gap - 18:19. In the ending, however, the guests were more efficient and, therefore, won the set.

The Russian girls once again strengthen the serve and start the third set well — 7: 3. This time, however, a jump serve by Samantha Fabrice becomes a problem for Dinamo — 12:14. Inspired by this success, the Italians enjoy a new lease of life and win both the set and a pass into the Champions League Final Four.

As soon as the game was no more of strategic importance, both coaches sent the reserve players to the playground. However, while out of Imoko's initial six players only Anna Danesi stayed on the field, Dinamo still had almost half of the first team because of the shorter bench. Encouraged by the success of their team, the Italians leap forward at the beginning of the fourth set — 2:7. However, more experienced Russian players then take the lead — 9:8 — and win the set. A similar situation occurs in the shortened fifth round as well. At the end of the day, even though Dinamo has failed to make it into the final round of the tournament, the Kazan team at least gives its fans a consolation victory.

Evgeniya Startseva, captain of Dinamo KAZAN:

- After the first set we needed to continue to put pressure, but Imoco  Volley CONEGLIANO also did not want to lose either. The Italian team warmed up and started pushing in response. We, on the contrary, weakened our serves and played a bit “messy".

Daniele Santarelli, head coach of Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO:

- Dinamo KAZAN is a good team, and it was not easy for us to win. We have had a great experience and achieved an excellent result. Joining the “Final Four” is a very important step for us, and we are very excited.

Champions League. Playoffs 6. 2nd match.
Dinamo (Kazan, Russia) – Imoco (Conegliano, Italy) - 3:2 (25:15, 21:25, 20:25, 25:17, 15:13)
4th April. Russia. Kazan. Volleyball Center “Saint Petersburg”.
Referee: Collados F. (France). Match time: 2.03 (25+27+29+25+17).
Dinamo: Koroleva (8), Kotikova (16), Voronkova (20), Mammadova (9), Startseva – C (2), Samoilenko (10) – starting line-up, Masaleva (libero), Ulanova (libero), Ezhova, Maryukhnich (8), Filishtinskaia (2), Malygina (6).
Imoco: Bricio (9), Folie (6), Danesi (8), Fabris (18), Wolosz, Hill (10) – starting line-up, Fiori (libero), De Gennaro (libero), Lee (10), Cella (6), Melandri (1), Nikoletti (2), Bechis.
Points – 106: 95, serve – 13: 5, spike – 58: 56, block – 10: 9, reception – 41%:35%, errors – 27: 36.
(Statistics by “Dinamo Kazan” coach-statistics M.Kuzovenin)