Luxembourg, March 13, 2018. Belogorie BELGOROD started in an excellent way their latest challenge called “semi-finals” of the 2018 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men. The hosts in this first semi-final round claimed a straight 3-0 win over  Asseco Resovia RZESZOW. The Russian side controlled the match and didn’t let their opponents react, making it difficult for the Polish side to come back in the game. In the other matchup Ziraat Bankasi ANKARA claimed a 3-1 victory vs. Calzedonia VERONA. The Italians started this match in a good way, but then lost the rhythm. On the other hand, the visiting team got back in the game in the second set and didn’t allow the home squad to change the course of the match. The second semi-final matches will take place next Tuesday, March 20.

Belogorie BELGOROD vs. Asseco Resovia RZESZOW 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-17)

•    The team of Asseco Resovia RZESZOW arrived in Belgorod at 4 am on the match day and had just one short practice before the game.
•    The players of Asseco Resovia RZESZOW couldn’t make a single block against Belogorie BELGOROD, while the Russian Lions scored 12 kill blocks.
•    The Polish team could take an early lead only in the beginning of the third set with the score being 2-0, 4-2 in their favour. However, this was the only moment when the visitors were leading.
•    Konstantin Bakun of Belogorie BELGOROD became top scorer of the match with 14 points.
•    The best player from Asseco Resovia RZESZOW, Thibault Rossard scored nine points for his team.

Alexander Kosarev, head coach of Belogorie BELGOROD: “I am happy with the result because we made a good analysis of the opponent and made the necessary corrections on our block. Many thanks to the guys who were very well prepared, also mentally, for the match. This victory will help us a lot in the upcoming play-off match of the Russian Championship.”

Andrzej Kowal, head coach of Asseco Resovia RZESZOW: “This was the first match. And we know that there is a second one in Rzeszow, so the result is still open. Today the big difference was in side-out. Our attack was very bad. We have to improve if we want to be able to put up a fight with teams like Belogorie.”

Calzedonia VERONA (ITA) vs. Ziraat Bankasi ANKARA (TUR) 1-3 (25-18, 22-25, 21-25, 20-25)

•    Calzedonia started the match in emphatic style (8-3) but Ziraat Bankasi came back with Vahit Emre Savas standing behind the service line closing in at 12-10; yet, the hosts had a four-point advantage at the second technical time-out and with their solid defence game, they stormed to a 25-18 win.
•    Ziraat Bankasi claimed an early lead in the second set (4-2) and were able to hold on to it up to 16-12 before Calzedonia drew level at 17-all with an ace by Thomas Jaeschke and a spike by Stephen Maar. Oleg Antonov paved the way towards a 21-17 Turkish lead and even though Calzedonia closed in again at 22-23 with a block by Emanuele Birarelli, Bartosz Kurek finished it all off at 25-22 with an ace confirmed by the video check.
•    Ziraat Bankasi set the pace of the game in the third set too (13-11) and a block by Dawid Konarski made it 19-16 for the visiting side later on. Two consecutive mistakes by VERONA paved the way with gold for the visitors who eventually won the set 25-21.
•    In the fourth set, the coach of VERONA, Nikola Grbić decided to replace one of the outside hitters, with Maar stepping in for Tonček Stern. However, Ziraat Bankasi kept the pressure high with their blocks and serves (11-8, 19-16) and eventually secured a 3-1 win (25-20).
•    Oleg Antonov from Ziraat Bankasi ANKARA top scored with 22 points, with Thomas Jaeschke scoring 12 times for the home side.

Nikola Grbić, head coach of Calzedonia VERONA: “We played below our standards, but this certainly has something to do with their performance as well. Now we have to concentrate on Saturday’s matchup against TRENTINO in the Playoffs of the national league, which is a very important challenge for the club. We cannot allow ourselves to lose focus or feel tired. All teams that play European competitions have to cope with this high intensity and the boys have to get used to it. It is the all-deciding stage of the season.”

Oleg Antonov, player of Ziraat Bankasi ANKARA: “We came here with the desire to win and to redeem ourselves from the defeat we suffered in the Playoffs of the national league that still burns inside. We played at a high level, which is the only way to make their life difficult. In Turkey we want to confirm this result and progress to the final.”

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