Kazan, Russia, December 10, 2014. The match of the 3rd round in Pool A of 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Women between Dinamo KAZAN and Chemik turned into a dramatic clash of 5 sets, but at the end of the day the victory was claimed by the host team.

The Polish squad is really focused and aggressive in the debut match of 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League. After they won two consecutive matches from the very start of the season, tonight Chemik challenges legendary Kazan club that claimed golden hat trick last year when Tatarstan team outplayed each and every in Russia, Europe and around the whole globe. However, the current season is not an easy walk for Dinamo KAZAN, that is why Russians are committed to extinguishing all bad memories about devastating defeat in Baku. Kazan stands are longing for terrific fight. Emotions will run especially high in Saint Petersburgh arena since it will see the dueling between two iconic volleyball players, probably the two most experienced ones in the CL - Ekaterina Gamova and Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale.

Both teams get into the game smoothly. Gamova and Glinka kill every attack almost ceremonially. Elena Yureva turns out a total nightmare for Chemik constantly tormenting Polish counterparts by powerful serves. Niether libero Mariola Zenik nor the Polish team captain Anna Werblinska can handle it losing score after score at ball reception. Polish roster is suffering from 7 unanswered kills finished by Tatars in the very beginning of the match - 10: 3. Finally, Giuseppe Cuccarini goes for the timeout resulting in Yureva failing to continue her amazing serves, and Serbian-born Maja Ognjenovic paces up Chemik squadron to make it up for the lost points. However, Polish team fails to level the game capable to cut Russian lead only to two points – 12:10. Dinamo KAZAN is too determined to give it away and breaks away at Maria Borodakova’s serves. It is Ekaterina Gamova that seals set killing the rivals with a terrific serve. Interestingly, skillful Russian opposite finalize one of the spectacular ball rallies spiking her prominent vis-à-vis.

Being so brilliant at the outbreak of the match the serves of Dinamo KAZAN turns into somewhat dull and weak in the second set: Gamova and Borodakova plays the ball out or hit the net. To make things even worse Kazan roster reception is falling apart. The team from the Oder region immediately take advantage of it: Agnieszka Bednarek-Kasza, Maja Ognjenović, Ana Bjelica score ace after ace. Anna Werblinska and Ana Bjelica are literally irresistible in attack. Finally, when the score is 11:18, Kazan head coach Rishat Gilyazutdinov can not stand his mentees losing the game and takes a timeout. Dinamo KAZAN is out to catch up with opponent. At the end of the set Maria Borodakova comes back with a her powerful serve, but it is too late. Eva Yaneva is masterfully blocked by Polish team that scores a set point, and the diagonal Ana Bjelica claims the second set by all-mighty attack.

Both teams, having won one set each, now play steadily, gaining the momentum and cruising to the third set which is to probably decide the outcome of the whole match. Polish team gains the advantage right away. Polish attacks are paced up by Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale who is constantly assisted by Verblinska and quick-hit attacks of Chemik, performed by middle blocker Stefana Veljkovic. Dinamo KAZAN has to catch up with the opponent throughout the entire set, but Kazan girls are fighting fiercely. Maria Borodakova kills every slide she is set by skillful Kazan setter Evgeniya Startseva. Antonella Del Core is swirling along the court like a lightning. Finally, Evgeniya Startseva scores two magnificent aces thus leveling the score - 18:18 and bringing the third set clash to a dramatic end. The first set ball is served by Polish Malgorzata Glinka. But the crucial point is claimed by equally experienced Italian-born Del Core, when Polish captain Anna Verblinska can not stand the gravity of the moment - 24:24. Kazan team captain Maria Borodakova scored a critical point of quick set attack, and Elena Yureva sends Chemik down that Wednesday night killing the decisive ace – 2:1 in favor of Dinamo KAZAN.

Encouraged by the success of the previous set Russians are rolling into the fourth set. However, two consecutive errors of Bulgarian-born spiker of Dinamo KAZAN Eva Yaneva bring the rivals back to the game. Polish struggle furiously sparing no effort and strength, delighting Kazan fans with incomparable rallies, especially at serves of Maja Ognjenović - 9:12. Dinamo is forced to make up for the lost margin. Nonetheless, Tatarstan roster succeeded in stopping Malgorzata Glinka that is substituted by Sanja Malagurski. The end of the set turns into rampant storm galvanizing the air at Kazan home arena. But this time the guest team hit the jackpot being more lucky to edge the rivals: Ana Bjelica skillfully cheats, Agnieszka Bednarek wins the net clash and levels the set score.

As they say, "Every dog is a lion at home" - the decisive tie-break sees more focused, energized and aggressive squad of Dinamo KAZAN. Polish team tries to keep the pace up, but the attacks of Gamova, Del Core and Borodakova’s slides nullify all Chemik’s efforts. Anna Verblinska serves and scores two aces in a row giving Chemik a chance to overhaul the rivals - 10: 9. But the ending of the match, as usual, turns into a one-star show of the Russian opposite. Ekaterina the Great is simply amazing at block and in attack - and for good reason is nicknamed «Game over».

Elena Yureva, middle blocker of Dinamo KAZAN:

- That was a very nervous match. We have a very strong Pool, and it was a must-win match. I think this pressure, it is the psychological pressure that prevented us from winning three or four sets and score 3 points.

- The Polish team has a lot of Serbian-born players...
- At some point there were four Serbs on the court, and I told the girls that we are playing against the national team of Serbia. It was hard to play because Serbs are indeed very talented, and strong both mentally and physically. Jump high, attack high, block high. But we made it, after all: Russian block outplayed Serbian one.

Head coach of Chemik Giuseppe Cuccarini:

- It was a real show for the spectators, and I’m sure they have really enjoyed it. Both teams played very good, high-level volleyball, and spared no effort to win the match. Unfortunately, we faced some problems at the tie-break and Dinamo KAZAN played the final set better. They showed all their experience and proved why they are the champions.

Champions League. Pool A. 3st Leg.
Dinamo Kazan – Chemik Police – 3:2 (25:13, 20:25, 26:24, 23:25, 15:10)
10 December. Kazan. Volleyball Center «Saint Petersburg».
Referee: Papageorgiou G. (Cyprus). Match time: 2.02 (21+26+30+29+16).
Dinamo KZN: Borodakova – C (12), Chaplina (2), Yureva (21), Gamova (24), Startseva (3), Del Core (15) – start six, Ezhova (libero), Abroskina (libero), Malkova (3), Yaneva (5), Melnikova.
Chemik: Werblinska – C (17), Bednarek (9), Glinka (7), Bjelica (17), Veljkovic (11), Ognjenovic (7) – start six, Zenik (libero), Malagurski (4), Jagielo.
Points – 109:97, serve – 11:11, attack – 57:53, block – 17:9, reception – 39%:44%, errors – 30:33.