Zenit pays back: a crazy comeback and title defence of the strongest club in Europe

Prescient training

Girls from the cheerleading team of Resovia, who had a rehearsal of the evening award ceremony, were the first people who appeared on the court in the morning. Was it a coincidence or not, but, according to the flags of the three countries, organizers decided in advance that Zenit would take the first place, Trentino – the second, Cucine Lube – the third, and Resovia – the fourth… They probably had a crystal ball, or were they told everything beforehand?

Then the participants of the consolation final appeared on the court. Initially, the rivals had different positions: Resovia met with Zenit in the semi-final, spent a mass of physical and psychological energy. Meanwhile, having caused bad presuppositions, Cucine Lube almost opposed Trentino. But the host team had a couple of hours more to prepare for this match. Nevertheless, the first set was easy for the Italians, 25-20. It seemed that they did the same thing at the beginning of the second set. But having won the second set putting titanic efforts, Resovia managed to change the course of the battle, 27-25. The Polish won the third set on the same wavelength, 25-22. How is it possible to be left in the lurch in a home match? It would be very unjust because the organization of the Final Four was excellent, believe the witness.

About 150 journalists came to Krakow – it is a huge figure for volleyball. More than a half of them was represented by Polish mass media. 18 TV companies had a live transmission of the matches in 81 countries. By the way, the press was not checked at the entrance of Tauron Arena – they trusted… Envy as it is.

A host is a host, but, having lost 22-25 in the fourth set, the Polish literally fell in the tiebreak, 10-15, and completely made the 13,000 spectators sad who watched the match, according to the official protocol. Resovia – Cucine Lube 2-3 (20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 22-25, 10-15). The mentor of Zenit Vladimir Alekno, who watched the most part of the game from the press box, went to his team.

In this season, Trentino lost two finals

Old debts

It is clear that for us the final of Zenit and Trentino was more interesting, of course. The Italians were heavily indebted to the Kazan players. Trentino was 'blamed' for the fact that Zenit has not won yet the only tournament where the club traditionally participates – FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship – where the Italian club won Zenit three times, including two times in the semi-final. In 2011 in Bolzano, Trentino defeated Zenit in the final of the Champions League – 3-1. Zenit won the Italians once in the semi-final of the Champions League in 2012 – 3-1. The result is 4-1 in favour of Trentino. According to our estimates, Zenit and Trentino approached this final as the most successful clubs of the tournament. The Kazan players have five medals (3-1-1), the Italians – four (3-0-1). It means that the winner of the match was going to be a record-breaker of the Champions League.

In this season, Trentino lost two finals. Both of them were in Modena: Italian Super Cup (2-3), Italy Cup (0-3) and recent two matches in the semi-final of the play-off of the Championship of Italy. The most important thing is that the mentor of Trentino Radostin Stoychev knows his counterpart Alekno inside out because Stoychev acted as his help in Dynamo Moscow during two years (2005-2007).

Debts are increasing

After the victory in the semi-final over Cucine Lube, Stoychev told the site of the club that 'he was satisfied with the victory, but everything is behind, and the final with Zenit is ahead'. He noted that his team did not start the match with the Italians quite well but then managed to concentrate. Stoychev was glad about 12 successful blocks of team most of all. 'Kazan? It is a really the best team in the world today. But we think we will play confidently on the court in order to demonstrate our best sides, as usual,' the specialist said. It is a pity than Alekno flatly refused to say something about the final rivals.

In the decisive battle, the spectators were against Zenit – it is no surprise if we remember the result of the first semi-final. The presenter asked the spectators to show using their voice who they supported, and 90% of them shouted for Trentino. It is possible that the support helped the Italians in the first set that Zenit traditionally started nervously: 1-4, 5-9. The Italians stunningly received and confidently attacked, which was not a characteristic of our players. Maksim Mikhailov gradually started to send his shots – 11-14, and Igor Kobzar's ace was the first in the match – 12-14. But it was not possible to catch up the opponent. I will tell once again Trentino played very confidently. But after Kobzar's sly offer, Zenit took the lead for the first time – 20-19. Unfortunately, the Kazan players did not manage to develop the success – 22-22. Urnaut also demonstrated an ace – 23-25.

Radostin Stoychev knows his counterpart Alekno inside out because Stoychev acted as his help in Dynamo Moscow during two years

Zenit started the second set calmer. In the beginning, Wilfredo Leon served an ace. He did in a way that the hall literally gasped, the ace would puncture a tank – 8-6. The first substitution in Zenit was obviously needed – Ivan Demakov substituted Aleksander Gutsalyuk; we'll say in advance, a 23-year-old player's entrance was successful. The game became equal – 9-9, 12-12. And here an Italian serve began 11-12 – Van de Voorde, 12-16 – Simone Giannelli's two consecutive aces. The Kazan players got nervous again, a cascade of mistakes fell – 14-18. Yes, they fought till the end – 17-18, 21-22. But, to be honest, Trentino played better concerning all indicators.

Comeback of 'Barcelona' from Kazan

Polish fans of volleyball, who dominated in the final match on the stands, excitedly greeted every successful action of the Italian club. However, it was early to do so. A significant change was at the beginning of the third set in the squad of Zenit. Libero Aleksey Verbov was substituted by Bulgarian Theodore Salparov, who played a bit in the second set. It helped. 8-5 after Mikhailov's ace. Leon served an ace too – 10-6. Another ace was as an encore – 11-6. Andrey Aschev was good, Demakov was amazing – 16-11. Finally, Mikhailov's ace, and 17-11 in favour of the Kazan players.

The Italians did not shiver but understood that they lost the set, and relaxed instantly. Leon made the stands groaned with respect once again. His shot almost broke the floor – 22-15. It was real Zenit.

Zenit's nerves were stronger

Debts paid back!

Nevertheless, Trentino started well in the fourth set – 0-3. No problem, the Tatarstan players equalized the score in block. One stupid mistake was made again – 6-8, 7-10. Alekno took timeout. 8-12 anyway, our team couldn't reach its level, the Italians came back. Oh, Mikhailov equalized the score, 12:12. A killing attempt was made by the Kazan players 8-1 – and the scoreboard showed 16-13! How good Trentino was in reception – 19-19, and everything began again in this set. Leon will play for the national team of Poland, did not you forget? 21-19 after his killing serve. Daniele Mazzone's ace – 21-21. A very nervous end. 24-22, 24-24. But our nerves were stronger. 27-25 in favour of Zenit! It should be noted that Gutsaluk's return was successful. So we reached a volleyball overtime.

Not to let the rival go ahead in the tiebreak – 3-3. Leon was blocked – 4-6. Our block 7-7. Aschev – 9-9. After a successful block, Zenit took the lead for the first time in the decisive set – 10-9. Leon – 11-10. Mikhailov – 12-10. The Italians argued desperately thinking that they scored, but the referee was relentless – 13-11. Moscow-born Oleg Antonov from Trentino served into the net – 14-12. Thank you, double agent. And, undoubtedly, Leon was the person who brought Kazan the precious trophy – 15-13. The Polish are right, this Kazan club is a world leader.

Vladimir Alekno: 'We started hopelessly…'

Could you estimate the difficulty of the match on a 1-10 scale?

Today we started hopelessly, too relaxed. We needed a drubbing, not peace. We started being afraid of making mistakes and began to make mistakes.

Could you say that in the final Trentino played almost the best match in the season?

Trentino played well both yesterday and today. We should pay tribute to them as well as to my counterparty Stoychev. This team doesn't have stars but plays well.

Not speaking about the statistics, what was our advantage over them? What is the strong side of today's Zenit?

The strength is in very Zenit, we know to win. We have many high-class players. This is why they won, thanks to them.