Fans of domestic volleyball were looking forward to the second semi-final confrontation of the men's Super League-Dmart. After all, the newly crowned winner of the Cup of Ukraine "Epicenter-Podolyany" and the Zhytomyr team "Zhytychi-Polissia" met there.
Looking ahead, we note that the first semi-final match lived up to and probably exceeded all expectations.
Super League-Dmart 2023-2024. Men Semifinal. First game:
March 28 (Thursday)
VC "Zhytychi-Polissia" - "Epicenter-Podolyany" – 0:3 (23:25, 23:25, 20:25)
Score in the series: 0-1.
Starting line-up of VC "Zhytichi-Polissya": Shapoval (scored 12 points), Orobko (9), Vilimanovych (1), Rudnytskyi (7), Luban (7), Didovych (14), Khvasta (l), Yablonskyi (l) . Substitutes: Kuranov (0), Hubenko (1).
Head coach: Serhii Tereikovskyi.
Starting line-up of "Epicenter-Podolyany": Jorna (scored 9 points), Tervaporti (0), Kisiliuk (7), Drozd (6), Smoliar (9), Kavogo (10), Fomin (l), Zhukov (l). Substitutes: Sydorenko (0), Didenko (2), Nalozhnyi (7), Koval (0), Finger (7).
Head coach: Mauricio Paes.
The starting part of the game was incredibly interesting and intense. The players of Zhytomyr played excellently on the block thanks to their captain Mykola Rudnytskyi (8:4). In addition, the Podolyany had problems with serving. However, later the Finnish setter Eemi Tervaporti involved the Cameroonian Kavoi in the attack, who made up for lost points (10:9). Later on, there was an even game on the PVLU arena (11:11 – 17:17 – 21:21). In the end, the setter of the "Bisons" Vladyslav Didenko served an ace, and his teammates played coolly and, most importantly, effectively - 25:23.
The second set turned out to be even more interesting. Thanks to the attacks of the opposite Viktor Shapoval, "Zhytychi" led during the entire set (6:3 - 13:9). The attacker also scored two aces, and Mykyta Luban soon took his example (15:10). It seemed that this set was "in the pocket" of Zhytomyr residents. However, the replacements in the "Epicenter" changed everything. 100% implementation of attacks by Michal Finger and Oleksandr Nalozhnyi equalized the score (22:22). Need a block in the end and attacks made the "bisons" not only the leaders but also helped them win the second set in a row - 25:23.
Having rested a little and inspired by success, the wards of Mauricio Paes immediately became the leaders (5:0). But they made every effort to maintain a fairly decent advantage (15:10 – 18:14). In the end, 25:20 and 3-0 in favor of "Epicenter-Podolyany".
The most productive player of the meeting was Alen Didovic (14 points) the outside hitter of "Zhytychi".
The MVP award was given to the captain of the "Bisons" Gijs Jorna.
Tomorrow, March 29, at 19:30, the second confrontation between these teams awaits us.
We would like to remind you that the semi-final series of matches will last until two victories by one of the teams.
Watch online broadcasts of Super League-Dmart matches on the DIVISPORT channel on YouTube or Megogo and Sweet.TV platforms.
