27/01/2016 23:20
Lokomotiv KHARKIV claim dramatic golden set to upset Slovenia’s cup winners
2016 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup - Men
Kamnik, Slovenia, January 27, 2016. Last week Slovenia’s national cup winners Calcit KAMNIK had lost 1-3 their first matchup with Ukraine’s Lokomotiv KHARKIV and in order to stay in the race for a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2016 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men they had to claim the re-match at home by dropping maximum one set before going for the eventual golden set. Calcit KAMNIK achieved half of their mission cruising to a 3-0 win (25-17, 25-22, 25-17) before dissipating two match points in the golden set, where Lokomotiv KHARKIV cashed their first opportunity to celebrate their qualification for the next stage of the competition (17-15).
The decision about who was going to win the first set came after the second technical time-out, when Calcit KAMNIK edged ahead 21-15 with a perfect block by Ziga Stern. The home team was better than their opponent also in the second set when they finished the period by using their third set point. The hosts broke away early on also in the third set and by the score of 21-13, it was clear that a golden set was going to be played.
Calcit KAMNIK started the golden set by leading 4-1 before Lokomotiv drew level at 7-all. Calcit players had two chances to close this additional set in their favour but they did not use them and Lokomotiv KHARKIV, on the other hand, cashed their first one for the final 17-15 to get the right to challenge Russia’s Fakel NOVY URENGOY in the next stage of the competition.
Toncek Stern scored 20 points for Calcit KAMNIK, whilst the best player of Lokomotiv KHARKIV was Oleh Plotnytskyi – also a very talented and promising Beach Volleyballer – who piled up 12 points.
Marko Brumen, head coach of Calcit KAMNIK, said: “It’s hard to accept when you lose this way. We played three sets at the highest level and it was one of our best matches this season. Unfortunately we played a little bit worse in the golden set and we were not concentrated enough in the decisive moments and that’s why we lost this match. What a pity – we were close to travelling to Siberia but now we will only play in our national league.”
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