In the first match of the Champions League second tour in Poland, Dinamo-Ak Bars KAZAN put up a good fight to the Italian Igor Gorgonzola but finally lost in four sets.

 

After the unsuccessful game in November in Italy, Dinamo had to win in all three matches of the second tour in Poland in order to gain a chance to get to the Champions League play-off. Undoubtedly, the task is extremely difficult.

 

The Russians made their best to get prepared. The very first minutes showed that this match differs drastically from the first meeting in November – 4:4. The Italians’ spirit was also very high, and hard to beat down – 17:13. However, closer to the finishing serve by young Fedorovtseva, Dinamo managed to equalize – 21:21 – and then drew the fight far beyond the standard 25 scores. The score of the first set depended literally on a few moments of luck, and, unfortunately, it was on the side of our rivals.

 

However, the Kazaners were not upset and rushed into struggle with renewed vigor in the next set – 1:4. But then they seemed to be scared of their own leadership; besides, stability was not generally good in the Dinamo’s players. Thus, the Italians managed to catch up soon – 5:4. Further, the game went on like a seesaw: the Russian dashed forward, then the Italians caught up. But such rhythm finally shattered the Italian team’s playing – 18:23 after a pair of mistakes of Novara. That time they did not manage to catch up.

 

The next set was also started successfully by the Russians – 1:3. Although their rivals rapidly caught up and were hot on their heels, Dinamo was steadily leading during the most of the set – 17:19. However, the Italian coach Lavarini made an advantageous substitution of the opposite: instead of Malwina Smarzek he introduced Nika Daalderop, almost unknown to the Russians. In the critical moment she scored two important goals at 23:22.

 

In the fourth set, Dinamo rushed into the fight again – 1:3. Tired Fedorovtseva was substituted for as young and as skillful Tatiana Kadochkina – 8:10. However, in general the Russian team was still not ready to play all four sets with maximal concentration. The problem is, among their usual rivals in the Russian championship there are few of those who can oppose them as strongly as the Italian team. On the whole, the Russians just got tired finally and started making silly mistakes – 18:16. Then the Italian coach, awaiting for that crucial point, ordered the passer Hancock to frequently pass to the opposite Smazek, who had had some rest in the previous set on a substitute’s bench. Then Malwina, who had been blocked during the whole game, started to score one goal after another – 24:20 – and finally brought victory to the Italian team. 

 

Champions League. 4th round. Group E. 2nd tour.

Igor Gorgonzola – Dinamo Ak-Bars - 3:1 (30:28, 22:25, 25:22, 25:20)

2 February. Poland. Police. Hala ZS im. I. Lukasiewicza

Referee: Michlic A. (Poland). Match time: 2.03 (36+30+31+26).

Igor: Herbots (14), Bosetty (15), Hancock (2), Bonifacio (4), Washington (15), Smarzek (18) – starting line-up, Sansonna (libero), Populini, Battistoni, Chirichella – С (5), Daalderop (6).

Dinamo: Koroleva (12), Fabris (16), Bricio (14), Statrseva – С (2), Fedorovtseva (20), Konovalova (2) – starting line-up, Podkopaeva (libero), Kotikova, Popova, Kadochkina (7).

Points – 102:95, serve – 4:1, spike – 60(43%):61(40%), block – 15:11, reception – 51%:37%, errors – 22:25.

(Statistics by “Dinamo Ak Bars” coach-statistics M.Kuzovenin)