An impressive 4000 passionate fans were present at the DIVS Uralochcka Ekaterinburg Arena for their team’s first home match of the #CLVolleyW season.

The game between the two titled clubs provided quite a spectacular battle. In the long rallies, both teams showed tremendous defensive performances. The success of Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG in the first set was brought by successful actions on the block. The Russian team showed character and saved two set points,  with middle-blocker Ekaterina Enina stopping RC CANNES’ attacks.

In the second set RC CANNES’ spikes were very efficienct. All players managed to reach an impressive minimum 50% successful attack rate. With the score showing 13-18, RC Cannes won five points in a row and forced the famous coach Nikolai Karpol to change the setter, with Tatiana Romanova being replaced by Vera Salikova.

In the third set the rested Romanova made three aces and helped her team turn the tide. In the end of the set RC CANNES were able to play off three setballs, but the captain of Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG, Kseniia Parubets didn't hesitate during the decisive moments.

After sparing no effort, the Russian squad slowed down. The effectiveness of the attacks dropped to 29%, while the team of Italian coach Riccardo Marchesi made five blocks.

The victory of RC CANNES was predetermined by the confident game of Nadiia Kodola. She scored 6 points in the tiebreak, earning a solid 24 points and 53% positive serve reception. Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG's leader, Kseniia Parubets scored 27 points.

Riccardo Marchesi, head coach of RC CANNES: “We had serious expectations with this match. I am glad to get the win, because Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG is a very strong opponent. Both teams showed good volleyball, but we were lucky a little bit more. Naturally, we want to reach CEV Champions League Volley 2020 play-offs, but our strategy is simple — we move from match to match, step by step."

Myriam Kloster, captain of RC CANNES: “It was a good, fighting match. We fought to the end and showed a good game in defense. The team fought for every ball, during the tiebreak this attitude was decisive»

Mikhail Karpol, head coach of Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG: “I want to congratulate RC CANNES on a well-deserved victory. They showed a very good game and completely dominated the defense. Also we need to apologize to the fans for two failed sets during the match - the team shouldn’t play like that at home. The tie-break turned out to be stationary, the French club managed to show a stronger game. We are struggling after losing Hanna Klimets due to injury, she was our key striker and we are in search of a solution to replace her. So far, this process is not easy”.

Ekaterina Evdokimova, middle-blocker of Uralochka-NTMK EKATERINBURG: “Our team has not shown its attacking potential. A lot of our attacks never came to a logical conclusion, plus we gradually accumulated fatigue. These factors led to the defeat»