Betim, Brazil, October 13, 2016 - The reigning European and African champions Zenit Kazan of Russia and Tala'Ea El Geish Cairo of Egypt will clash in the opening match of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship in Betim on October 18, to get the tournament started.
Quick links:FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship Betim 2016 - WebsiteFIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship Betim 2016 - ScheduleFIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship Betim 2016 - TeamsThe Russians will want to start the competition well in a bid to claim a club title that still eludes them after four attempts at winning it.
Zenit Kazan- Zenit are competing in their fifth FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship after picking up two bronze medals in 2009 and 2011 in Doha and a silver last year in Betim.
- Zenit have played 19 matches in the Club World Championship with an 11-8 won-lost record.
- Zenit have twice before faced a team from Africa, defeating Zamalek of Cairo in straight sets on both counts in 2009 and 2012.
Tala'Ea El-Geish- Tala'Ea El Geish of Cairo are making their debut in the Men's Club World Championship, after claiming the continental club title in Africa for the first time in 2016.
- They are the seventh African team to represent the continent in the competition and third from Egypt after Al-Ahly and Zamalek. ASP Mahad of Algeria, as well as Club Africain Tunis, Sfaxien Tunis and Esperance Tunis have also taken part.
- The best finish historically by an African club in the competition is 5th, which has happened on numerous occasions.