2011 CEV Champions League - Men
CSKA SOFIA causes major sensation of the night
December 8, 2010. Bulgaria's CSKA SOFIA did certainly cause the major upset of the night as plenty of matches were being played across Europe for the third leg of the 2011 CEV Champions League -- Men. The Bulgarian national champions stretched their positive streak -- at least at home -- against Russian giant Zenit KAZAN and pulled off a splendid tie-break to claim that match and stay in full contention for a spot in the Playoffs 12.
CSKA SOFIA (BUL) vs. Zenit KAZAN (RUS) 3:2 (25-23, 16-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10)
The Russian machine of Zenit KAZAN just can't win in Bulgaria. As it was the case last year, the Russian giant lost to CSKA SOFIA in Samokov. After winning all of its previous games in straight sets, Zenit lost to the Bulgarian national champion 2:3, after crashing in Samokov last season 1:3. For the first time in front of full stands, CSKA SOFIA rose up to its phenomenal fans and scored a second win in a row at home.
The visiting team lost its first set so far this season in the 2011 CEV Champions league after CSKA SOFIA closed the operations at 25-23. With a solid bock and good offense, the hosts managed to win the decisive rallies in the period, which lasted for 30 minutes. CSKA SOFIA lost the lead just twice, at 18:17 and 22:21, as Maxim Pantaleymonenko was shining for Zenit. The rest of the set was dominated by CSKA, the Reds leading by 3-4 points, letting the opposing team no less than one point behind. Philip Maiyo and Yasser Portuondo sparked CSKA's offense in this period. In front of 2'500 supporters, CSKA kept on going well, leading twice by 5 points (10:5 and 12:7) in the second set.
Vladimir Alekno brought in the game experienced Maxim Mikhaylov and Nikolay Apalikov, and the second one managed to tie the match at 16. Alexander Popov responded with 4 substitutions, introducing Teodor Todorov, Anton Vasilev, Georgi Manchev and Valters Ramma. Zenit KAZAN was the team to make a successful run of 11 to nothing -- from 14:16 to 25:16. Maxim Mikhaylov was perfect from the serving area, scoring 10 points, and Zenit won the set to tie the game 1:1. CSKA was again in front of the 2008 champion of Europe taking the third set 25-23. The hosts, supported by former famous international player Dimo Tonev, and Alekno's former coach Hristo Iliev, were once again the better team in offense and block and after 13 ties, got a deserved set. Ivaylo Stefanov and Philip Maiyo scored point after point for CSKA, and Apalikov and Panteleymonenko kept the match alive for KAZAN. CSKA started the fourth period well, and led 3:1 after Portuondo's counter attack, but Zenit quickly overturned it with style. The Russian giant had some troubles but kept the lead quite comfortably. Teodor Todorov appeared again for the Reds and immediately scored for the 12:16. Nikolay Ivanov scored the 13th point for the Bulgarians. Although at 22:17 Popov took his starters out and CSKA made it 22:24, the set went to KAZAN 22-25. In the tie-break CSKA led 3:2 and at teams changed side the score stood at 8:5. Philip Maiyo out-smarted the triple Russian block for the 9:6. The hosts managed well to keep Zenit off balance, and increased the lead. The visiting team turned the ball over for 12:8, when Alekno took Lloy Ball out of the game and opted for Abrosimov for a taller line-up in defense. Yasser Portuondo jumped higher again for the 13:9, Teodor Todorov blocked Egorchev for the first match-ball at 14:10 and captain Nikolay Ivanov followed to make it 15-10 and 3:2 for CSKA. Top scorer for CSKA was Philip Maiyo with 23 points. Maxim Mikhaylov registered 24 for Zenit.
Alexander Popov, head coach of CSKA SOFIA, said after the game: "We can't hide our emotions. We are extremely happy to show the Volleyball community in Bulgaria and across Europe that we can play that good. Tonight our stars shone brighter than theirs. I know there are no games alike, but we will try to make the same effort in the next one, visiting Zenit in Kazan".
