Zenit-Kazan vs. Lokomotiv | HIGHLIGHTS | SemiFinals (5th Game) | SuperLeague 2025-2026

The Novosibirsk players immediately showed their signature serve, and after a series of serves from Simeon Nikolov and Omar Kurbanov, they led 7:4, forcing Alexey Verbov to take the first timeout. The Kazan players fought back with Dmitry Volkov's block on Ilya Kazachenkov and Lokomotiv's subsequent set-breaking hit, resulting in a 10:10 tie. The game ended when Semyon Krivitchenko, the Kazan libero, failed to handle Alexey Kononov's serve, resulting in a 17:15 victory for Kazan. Roman Romanovsky blocked Ilyas Kurkaev and the hosts took the lead +3. Fyodor Voronkov reduced the gap to a minimum with his ace, but he failed to do so again – the attacker fell under the Zenit block (25:22). The Kazan team won this element with a score of 5–0.

The Kazan block continued to work well in the second game. Konstantin Abaev and Kononov took turns shutting down Kurbanov – 12:8. Omar quickly rehabilitated himself with the help of his serve: an ace and a passing ball for Dmitry Lyzik, after which Loko's gap was reduced to a minimum. Kazachenkov equalized the score (15:15), but Maxim Mikhailov's diagonal Zenit did not play well from the first set and was replaced by Drazen Luburich. Lokomotiv's Sam Dero was substituted for Voronkov earlier in the match. Volkov's two consecutive mistakes on serve and in attack allowed the hosts to take the lead (19:17), which they further expanded with Kurbanov's ace (21:18) and Dero's block (23:19).

Santiago Danani could not cope with Nikolov's powerful serve, and Zenit let the opponent get ahead (9:11) at the beginning of the third set. However, Volkov's efforts allowed Zenit to not only catch up but also take the lead, as he hit several difficult balls to score 14:13. The opponents then made numerous mistakes on serve, but Lysik's attack resulted in an out, giving Zenit the much-needed break point. And in the very end, Ljubicic fired an ace – 24:21. The guests recaptured two set-balls, including thanks to the serving of the substitute Rajab Shakhbanmirzaev. And yet, Labinsky scored the decisive ball, putting the 5,000-seat arena on its ear.

In the fourth set, the Kazan team made a serious breakthrough on Luburić's serves (9:9 - 14:9). Drazhen himself made an ace, and Roman Romanovsky blocked Shakhbanmirzaev twice. Kurbanov and Lyzik also made mistakes in the attack. Plamen Konstantinov, the head coach of Lokomotiv, replaced Nikolov with Vadim Ozhiganov, and the Novosibirsk team made an incredible comeback. In the end, Deru reduced the gap to a minimum (22:23), and Ilyas Kurkaev scored a passing ball after a mistake by Labinsky – 23:23! At that moment, Lyzik hit the net, and Roman Romanovsky forced the mistake of Sergey Melkozyor, the libero. Volkov blocked the passing ball and led Zenit-Kazan to the final.

VFV - volley.ru