23/01/2020 23:00
Dinamo secure big victory over MONZA in #CEVCupW
CEV Volleyball Cup 2020 - Women
Kazan, Russia, January 23, 2020. Dinamo KAZAN claimed a comprehensive 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-13, 25-19) over Saugella MONZA of Italy in one of the most anticipated matches scheduled for the 8th Finals of the CEV Volleyball Cup 2020 – Women, thus extending their winning streak to 11 games in a row, counting domestic competitions as well.
The Russians started the game very well, securing a 13-7 lead with their powerful attacks and high blocks. The visitors, on the contrary, often made mistakes and soon ended trailing 18-11. Then, however, with Isabella Di Iulio standing behind the service line, they fought back and edged ahead at 22-20 before in a tense final, the home favourites seized a 25-23 win.
In the next set, the Italians seemed to start showing their high-speed playing. However, powerful attacks of Samanta Fabris, the unbeatable block of Irina Koroleva and, most of all, superb serves by Bethania De la Cruz resulted in a massive 17-7 lead and Dinamo soon afterwards doubled their lead in the match.
The third set was the tensest of all. The setter of Saugella, Katarzyna Skorupa refreshed the visiting team’s playing. The score remained close up to 16-15. However, the Russians, with support of their fans, managed to secure a 3-0 victory.
Irina Koroleva, player of Dinamo KAZAN: “The game was good, and it is great that we have won but I expected a bit more resistance from the Italians. Anyway, we will not relax, as the Italian team in Italy, with support of their fans - that is something different. Therefore, I think that the second game will also be different but we are ready for that. And today we have made the first step to victory.”
Sergey Sikachev, assistant coach of Dinamo KAZAN: “I am very much pleased with the score, but there were some faults in the game: in the first set we were leading 20-13 but finished it with 25-23. Anyway, many thanks to the fans who supported us at that moment. Today we won due to aggressive serves. Moreover, we got several crazy balls in defence! However, this series is not finished yet - the main match will be in Italy.”
Carlo Parisi, head coach of Saugella MONZA: “I am very upset and I would like to forget this game as quickly as possible. I started working with this team just ten days ago, which added difficulties to us. We need time to get used to work together. Today we played as the opponent allowed us and Dinamo KAZAN is obviously a strong team. If we had won the first set, everything could have been different. Now we have to forget this game, and start from the beginning in the return match in Italy. There we will try to improve our serve.”
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