For the second time this season and for the fourth time over the last two years Zenit KAZAN defeated Halkbank ANKARA. However, due to a number of previous defeats, the question of Zenit KAZAN’s ticket to the Champions League Playoffs was still up in the air. It would be the first time ever in the history of the club that Kazan may not qualify for the next round as it has been playing in the most prestigious tournament of Europe since the 2007/08 season.

Earvin Ngapeth, outside spiker of Zenit KAZAN, became the MVP of the match with his spectacular fierce kills and brilliant overall statistics: 50% of the attacks he finished (18/36), 1 ace, and 1 block, and zero mistakes in reception.

Earvin Ngapeth, outside spiker of Zenit KAZAN: “We had to claim three sets to continue the run for the Playoffs, and we did it. Let's see how it goes for the Belgian teams. I do believe that we will go further. Everything is possible in volleyball. It’s hard to explain what happened to us in the Champions League. We played well in the Russian Championship, but we could not find our game in the European competitions.”

Samed Faik Günes, captain of Halkbank ANKARA: “We fought to the very end against a very strong team. We were quite aware that we would not go to the Playoffs this season and just enjoyed the game, enjoyed the volleyball.”

Alexey Verbov, Zenit KAZAN head coach: “In the first set we were leading 19:12, but the Turkish club flipped the charts and the score turned into 19:21. It is all the same from match to match, and we, as a whole team, must overcome it. In the second set the Turks prevailed, they simply played better, and we had problems with finishing attacks at good reception, which is quite irregular for us.”

Alfredo Walter Martilotti, assistant coach of Halkbank ANKARA: “We had nothing to lose, we already lost five matches in a row. We played quietly, showed a good game. We are glad that our youth had a good match, especially Efe Bayram”.