The first day of the CEV Champions League held in Bolzano, Italy didn't bring any surprises. Favorites in the chase for the gold. BetClic Trentino and Russian Zenit Kazan will clash today in the battle for the crown.
Both finalists didn't have any problems to overcome their opponents, claiming victories in straight sets. Jastrzebski Wegiel, the sensational Polish participant of the Italian Final Four, proved not to be kind of volleyball Cindirella and was fighting with all the heart left on pool to stop Trentino, supported by the full-packed with fans PalaOnda hall. Team of coach Lorenzo Bernardi, voted as the best volleyball player of the XXth century had problems in the very beginning of the match but soon after managed to get back to the game. Players from Silesia were really close to win the second set but in the end had to survive the bitter taste of the defeat (27-25). Third set also belonged to the hosts who in this way can win the crown for the third time in a row, making history.
In the second semi-final favourite also could be only one - Champions League winner from 2008, Zenit Kazan. Once again it was proved that team which got the ball, wins. Ball, LLoy Ball :-) The legendary American setter had a major input into his team's success. We did see a good volleyball, played at a high level but what we really missed today were emotions and thrillers on the pool. Fortunately, Sunday should be like an old, good Hitchcock movie, starting with the battle for the bronze medal and finishing with the true war for the gold.
