Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, February 6, 2020. The CEV Snow Volleyball European Tour successfully kicked off on Monday in Armenia’s popular ski resort Tsakhkadzor. As many as 16 men’s and six women’s teams from 12 different countries took part in the Main Draw phase of the historic Snow Tour, held in Armenia for the first time. Reigning ‘Queen of the Snow’, Olga Motrich and her teammates Pavlova, Novikova and Iarantceva celebrated the victory alongside their fellow compatriots Bobrikov, Bogatov, Mikhalev and Daianov – the eventual winners of the men’s competition.
Russia had a strong representation in the competition, with four teams playing across both the men’s and women’s competitions. Only the hosts Armenia brought a higher number of contestants, with three men’s and three women’s teams fighting in the Main Draw.
Motrich, Pavlova, Novikova and Iarantceva began their journey from Round 2, beating hosts Kasis, Galustyan, Yeprikyan and Kspoyan in two sets (15-9, 15-6). The victory moved them straight into the semi-final, where they faced Romania. The Russians showed their power on court once more, defeating Corcoz, Sandu, Ilie and Bradatan 2-0 (15-4, 15-6) and they achieved the very same feat in the final match with Lithuania (Frelik, Bekis and Kvedaraite), where they stormed to yet another 2-0 victory (15-8, 15-7). There was some joy for the local fans as well, since Armenia beat Romania 2-1 (14-16, 15-12, 15-11) in dramatic fashion in the bronze medal match to complete the podium.
Bobrikov, Bogatov, Mikhalev and Daianov were not up to the best start, losing their first match in Round 1 against the French team of El-Ghouti, Saint-Vanne and Petrov. However, the Russians managed to bounce back, winning 2-1 (12-15m 15-10, 16-14) with Romania’s Hupoiu, Pop, Gligor and Ifrim and beating Italians Zauli, Lupatelli, Maines and Carlon in two sets (15-12, 15-10). Their next opponent, Georgia’s Gordadze, Zakaidze and Kachibaia, proved to be one of the toughest, but the Russians sealed the victory at 2-1 (15-7, 12-15, 17-15).
Bobrikov, Bogatov, Mikhalev and Daianov faced France once again with a spot in the semis at stake, but this time the match ended with a victory that opened the door to a semi-final against Poland’s Groszek, Szczepanik, Matyja and Hasiak.
The Russian quartet sealed through the semis and gold medal match without dropping a single set, as Russia laid down another marker when it comes to their supremacy in Snow Volleyball competitions by completing a clean sweep of the podium. Shabalin, Markov, Polikarpov and Kayumov were the recipients of the silver medals, while Bakhnar, Kuzmin and Smorchkov had to settle for the third step of the podium.
All semi-finalists from men's competition as well as Russia and Lithuania from the women's event will be travelling to Georgia to continue the Snow Tour in Bakuriani.
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