Omsk, Russia, March 4, 2015.  Omichka OMSK REGION took the maximum from its first Challenge Round match against Galatasaray Daikin ISTANBUL in the 2015 CEV Volleyball Cup - Women.  The Russians will travel for the return game in Turkey with a comfortable 3:0 (25-19, 28-26, 25-22) advantage.

Ekaterina Orlova did not give many chances to the opponents, contributing three points to an early 8-1 lead in the first set, before Galatasaray responded with five points in a row.  After 21-19, cheered by its fans, Omichka forced the opponents to make mistakes for 23-19.  Massimo Barbolini took a time-out, but it was in vain, because Orlova and Anastasia Kornienko scored the next two points for 25-19.  After 3-3 in the second set, Zoran Terzic’s players rushed off to an 8-3 advantage.  The visiting team fought back to narrow the gap down to 13-16 at the next technical time-out, but Omichka regained its five-point lead at 22-17.  However, five consecutive points helped Galatasaray catch up at 23-23 and prompt an exciting ending.  In the crucial moments, the Russian team showed more precision for 28-26.  The third set was the most competitive one, with frequent switches in the lead.  After 20-20 permanently stepped ahead, taking advantage of the Turkish squad’s several attacking mistakes and Margarita Kurilo closed it all off at 25-22.

Zoran Terzic, head coach of Omichka:  “Marina Babeshina did not play because she has a trauma, but she will play again in 7 to 10 days.  Of course, we always want to win in a short period of time, but our opponents were strong, they have really good players.  Anastasia Kornienko was very good today.  I think it would be very difficult to win in Turkey, but we want to win and I think that we can do it.”

Iuliia Kutiukova, captain of Omichka:  “The beginning of the match was very good for us, but the Turkish team was also strong.  They showed us that it would be difficult to win the match in Turkey.  Today we were playing without Babeshina, but all the players were in a good shape and that is why we won this match.”

Маssimo Barbolini, head coach of Galatasaray:  “My congratulations to Omichka for the good game.  We were trying to destroy construction of their team, but it was without good success.  At the important moments our opponents were better.  I want to tell you that in Turkey we will try to show you another game.  I have some new ideas.”

Nadia Centoni, captain of Galatasaray and best scorer of the match with 19 points:  “The first set was not very good for us, but later we were trying to show a good game.  I think it was an interesting match.  Omichka is a good team, but I think that we have a chance to win in Turkey.”

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