21/01/2015 19:21
Dinamo MOSCOW secure first ticket to CEV Cup Challenge Round
2015 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men
Moscow, Russia, January 21, 2015. On Wednesday night Russia’s Dinamo MOSCOW secured a spot in the Challenge Round of the 2015 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men cruising to a straight-set victory (25-15, 25-22, 25-22) in their second match up with France’s Spacer’s TOULOUSE. As 2,350 fans were in attendance, Dinamo put on a real show well orchestrated by their setter and team captain Sergey Grankin (pictured), an Olympic champion from London 2012, who today turned 30. The hosts outclassed their opponents especially with their attacks and blocks and with the only exception being the third set, this time TOULOUSE could not stand a real chance against the star-studded team from Russia’s capital. Denis Biryukov top scored in the end with 17 points (56% in attack) well supported by Pavel Kruglov who chipped in with 15.
Denis Biryukov was the real match winner for Dinamo and said after the match: “Everything changed in comparison with the previous match in France and we improved in every single aspect of the game. Of course it is always more difficult to play away from home. We relaxed a bit too early in the third set as we thought we had already cashed this second victory. Fortunately we were able to regroup, performed well, especially at blocking, and eventually won this match.”
Dinamo’s libero Alexey Obmochaev, also an Olympic champion from London 2012, shared some impressions from the match as well: “We played very concentrated, except for the third set. Dinamo MOSCOW was today able to play with glowing hearts and this way we could edge past a strong opponent. Everything looked easy in the third set but suddenly we got into troubles. The French team showed an excellent performance, especially at home, but here in Moscow we confirmed that we are the stronger side.”
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
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