18/02/2016 20:44
Fakel NOVY URENGOY secure first Challenge Cup semi-final spot
2016 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup - Men
Minsk, Belarus, February 18, 2016. Russia’s Fakel NOVY URENGOY claimed on Thursday night a second 3-0 victory (25-16, 25-17, 31-29) in two days in their double header with Ukraine’s Lokomotiv KHARKIV to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the 2016 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men.
The start of the match already set the tone for what was going to follow. The Russian team showed their class and better physical and technical skills to impose their supremacy throughout the match. Dmitrii Volkov and especially Egor Kliuka, the still young yet very talented outside spiker of Fakel, left his mark on the opening set which came to an end with a commanding 25-16 win for the hosts. The second set followed the same pattern with Fakel comfortably cruising to another dominant set win - 25-17.
The third set was a different story as Fakel had already secured their progression to the next round and changed almost their entire starting six. Lokomotiv KHARKIV used this opportunity to play their best game and try to win the set. The Ukrainians performed well especially at blocking whereas the players of Fakel made many mistakes. However, towards the end of the set the Russians restored their leadership in the match which ended in a 3-0 victory for NOVY URENGOY.
“We had a couple of great matches today and yesterday. My guys played really well, and we perfectly executed the game plan we had agreed upon,” said Igor Chutchev, the head coach of Fakel NOVY URENGOY.
In the semis Fakel will be playing the winner of the double clash starring France’s ASUL LYON Métropole and Belgium’s Prefaxis MENEN, with the latter having recorded a 3-0 away win a couple of days ago in Lyon and the re-match set to follow in ten days in Belgium.
Click here for more info including detailed stats of the match
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