We’ve Waited The Whole Year to Play Cruzeiro; We’re Ready – V. Alekno

2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL MEN’S CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

• December 12 – 17
• Lodz, Opole, Krakow – Poland
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It is safe to say that Zenit Kazan‘s coach Vladimir Alekno is tired of losing to Sada/Cruzeiro in FIVB Men’s Club World Championship finals. After all, the team has been beaten by the Brazilian powerhouse and relegated to silver medals in the last two editions of the tournament, including an additional loss in group play in 2016. It is as if the Brazilian side has Alekno’s number and has Zenit’s game figured out before they even step on the court.

This time around, though, Alekno is prepared to say things are different. After his team clinched the first spot of its pool and guaranteed a showdown with Cruzeiro in the tournament’s semifinals, Alekno had this to say:

“We were looking for a game against Sada Cruzeiro for a whole year. We are ready. First of all we are happy that we are going to Krakow, and then we are happy we have the chance to face the Brazilian team again.”

Alekno is right to be optimistic, as Zenit Kazan ended its group run with 100 percent efficiency, not dropping a single set along the way, and with its players leading most statistical categories individually. Saturday the whole team will have the chance to prove its coach right.

Courtesy of FIVB