22.03.2009 | MATCH
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Lokomotiv Crowned 2009
CEV Cup Winner
ATHENS, 22 March -- Lokomotiv-Belogorie
Belgorod of Russia is the 2009 CEV Cup winner,
following their four-set victory over
Panathinaikos Athens in the final of the competition
at the Olympic Complex, here, before some 15,000
fans. The Russians most effectively too advantage of
all the weaknesses of the Greek team, and despite an
attempt by Panathinaikos to stay alive by winning
the second set, sailed to a relatively comfortable
win 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20).
Lokomotiv took an early lead in the opening set and
it was not until 10-11 when Panathnaikos eventually
moved ahead for the first time. But that lead was
short-lived for the home team, as the Russians
continued to receive and defend exceptionally and
pulled way once more, to retain their lead this time
until the final 25-19.
Panathinaikos came back in the second set and with
Elias Lappas coming on for Bjorn Andrae at 5-5, took
intiative and made the break, for as many as five
points (10-15). Although it was down to four at the
second technical time-out, the Greeks continued with
improved serving that widened the lead to as many as
eight points and concluded in a comfortable 17-25
that made the overall score 1-1.
Lokomotiv, however, quickly recomposed and kept
their turn to take the initiative in the third set.
The Russians' took yet another early lead and kept
Panathinaikos at bay until the end--although the
Greeks did close in briefly to within a point
(15-14). The substitution of setter Frank Depestele
with Thanassis Psarras at 19-15 did little to change
the course of the set, which ended 25-20.
With Andrae back in, to help stabilise the reception
of Panathinaikos, the two opponents started out
neck-and-neck in the fourth set, and none led at any
time by more than a point until 10-11. It was then
that Dmitry Musersky aced three times in a row and
allowed Lokomoitiv to break away by four (11-15)
retaining and widening the gap until the very end:
25-20.
Once more Lokomotiv had
diversity amongst its scorers, which eased the way to victory: Musersky with 15
was just above Taras Khtey (14), captain Sergey Tetyukhin (13) and Alexandr
Kosarev (10). Colombian Liberman Agamez of Panathinaikos emerged top scorer of
the match with 23 points.
