Big smile for Sada Cruzeiro coach Marcelo Méndez as his team downed Kazan in four sets
Betim, Brazil, October 20, 2016 - Against the same opponent they faced in 2015 final and current European champions, Sada Cruzeiro played at a superb level and emerged victorious in an awesome volleyball show. Coach Marcelo Méndez underlined the importance of a match like this ahead of a do-or-die weekend with semifinals and medal games.
Andrey Ashchev, Zenit Kazan captain: “This game was a very sad loss for our side. We can only put our game under analysis, see the mistakes we made and find the answers to that and the proper tactics for upcoming games.”
Vladimir Alekno, Zenit Kazan coach: “The match itself was a good game, but maybe we were a little bit nervous. As the captain side, we must get some conclusions from the way we played and we need to do our homework, find solutions as we have another game tomorrow. I don’t like to think about possible opponents ahead, we must win against the team from Chinese Taipei and we still don’t know what to correct. Tomorrow will be a new day, with new ideas.”
Marcelo Méndez, Sada Cruzeiro coach: “This game was a good test to our team. It was good to feel again how strong the serves and spikes of an opponent like Zenit Kazan are. It’s important to have finished first in our pool, but even most vital is to have this kind of challenge ahead of the semifinals. There, we know that any of the three possible teams will be tough - the two Argentinean teams and Trentino are great rivals, maybe with a different style of play but with the same high level. They plan their games very well and will make us work a lot.”
FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship Betim 2016 - Teams