Kazan, Russia, October 28, 2015. Kazan DINAMO cruises into new season of 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League without its leader and basically flagship player – opposite Ekaterina Gamova who is grounded for tonight’s match. However, as for the results of the previous game of Dinamo KAZAN in the Russian Super league, Tatarstan roster has not yet adjusted to play with Daria Stolyarova who urgently substituted Gamova. It is worth mentioning though that our rivals from Locomotiv BAKU go for the first official match this season since Azerbaijan Championship will start only in the beginning of November. The team composition has been altered considerably in off season as is usually the case for Azerbaijani clubs. Tonight’s clash will show if the “national team of the world” has managed to achieve good team-work.

At the set outbreak the away team is hardly able to resist mighty Russian attacks – 8:6. Buck fever prevents the Kazan DINAMO girls from gaining the momentum and ample of points they lose at serves – 13:16. Experienced Antonella del Core turns the tide pacing up her team attacks from the service line. Daria Stolyarova and Elitsa Vasileva playing in the front line of Dinamo KAZAN quickly seal the set – 25:21.

To claim the first set does not mean to win the whole match. Locomotiv BAKU squad flip the charts persuading the hosts that it is too early to celebrate the victory and flip the charts. Czech-born Aneta Havlickova set the pace of the respired Azerbaijani team. Dinamo KAZAN expends tremendous efforts chasing after the breaking away opponent and managed to even the score only towards the very end of the set – 22:22 after spectacular attacks of Elitsa Vasilieva. But in the critical moment Antonella del Core is not accurate enough and Locomotiv BAKU levels the set score.

Just like a real locomotive, Azerbaijani team was slowly picking up the speed but now it is literally unstoppable – 1:5. Moreover, Dinamo KAZAN is not very happy about losing the home match and upsetting the stands. Tatars pull themselves together and overhaul the rival at Vasilieva serves – 11:10. Throughout the whole set it is head-to-head very intense volleyball and only in the very end of the set the Kazan players succeed in gaining the lead and claiming the victory after a series of effective blocks.

Fourth set is going to be ultimate. Both teams are fully aware of it and none of them wants to give in.
Dinamo KAZAN attack play more powerful that night and the host team gradually seizes the initiative – 11:9. After the second technical time-out Locomotiv BAKU is capable to once again level the game – 16:16. But the stands galvanize the Tatarstan squad not leaving a chance for disappointment and Dinamo KAZAN equals the expectations – 25:22.

Richat Gilyazutdinov, head coach of Dinamo KAZAN:

- First of all, it is our strong character and really good teamwork. And today, I'm really proud of the team that was really superb at such an element as defense. I consider Locomotive a European team, they play rather well in defense and make few errors. As for our team, mistakes in attack and at serves, unfortunately, prevailed in the beginning of the match. But our commitment to victory played a big role. I am grateful to girls for such a spectacular victory.

Francois Salvagni, the head coach of the VC Locomotive BAKU:

Kazan is a team that can create a lot of pressure at serves and blocks so it is very difficult to make s side-out every time. It is difficult to find a solution. During the match when the pass is not perfect and it is hard to play high ball with the block of Kazan. A lot of times they touch the ball and keep it in the game. And I think that Antonella del Core made something special in the end. She always plays well but in the end of the match she did something amazing. We were playing point by point and in the end of the third set which turned out to be very tough. We were so close to Kazan but Antonella sealed the set and claimed the match.

Champions League. Pool A. 1st Leg.
Dinamo (Kazan, Russia) – Lokomotiv (Baku, Azerbajan) – 3:1 (25:21, 23:25, 25:22, 25:22)
28th October. Kazan. Volleyball Center «Saint Petersburg».
Referee: Partiainen K. (Finland). Tima match: 1.57 (27+31+30+29).
Dinamo: Malkova (5), Gendel (11), Startseva (1), Del Core (18), Vasileva (12), Stolyarova (25) – start six, Ezhova (libero), Borodakova – C (6), Malygina, Melnikova (1).
Lokomotiv: Danielson (3), Havlickova – C (15), Cemberci (6), Crncevic (13), Pencova (8), Kauffeldt (12) – start six, Castillo (libero), Cutura (3), Abdulazimova, Kiselyova.
Points – 98:90, serve – 5:3, attack – 60:48, block – 14:9, reception – 50%:46%, error – 31:20.