At the end of five sets played with great intensity, Trentino had the better of the Russians from Kazan. Thanks to this win, the Italians are top of the group and through to the semi finals with a game to spare. Trailed 2-1, and with Juantorena injured at his ankle during the second set, Trentino managed to find the resources to fight back.
Radostin Stoytchev (Trentino BetClic): “I am very satisfied, be that for the win or the qualification to the semi finals with a game in hand. We showed great team spirit again, and the determination I had asked of my boys before the game. We had prepared a specific tactical strategy for this game and we managed to put it in practice during the whole game, despite requiring the fifth set to beat Kazan. Maybe we could have sealed it earlier if we had not lost our way at the end of the first and third set, and if some doubtful referee decisions had gone differently. Still, we did well to stay focused in difficult moments. This is a great quality of the team which has to be acknowleged”
Trentino will conclude the first phase with Tomorrow’s game against the Puerto Rican team of Plataneros Corozal at 2pm Italian time (4 local time). A victory would guarantee first place.
Trentino BetClic-Zenit Kazan 3-2
(24-26, 25-23, 24-26 25-19, 15-11)
TRENTINO BETCLIC: Raphael 5, Juantorena 17, Sala 7, Vissotto 24, Kaziyski 24, Birarelli 3, Bari (L); Herpe. DNP. Gallosti, Zygadlo, Sokolov and Corsini. Coach. Radostin Stoytchev.
ZENIT: Tetiukin 8, Abrosimov, Ball 4, Pantaleymonenko 19, Apalikov 6, Stanley 11, Verbov (L); Bogomolov 3, Cheremisin 22, Kulikovsky 2, Garkushenko and Babichev. Coach. Vladimir Alekno.
