Lokomotiv Novosibirsk qualified for the final of the Russian Super Cup after a decisive, yet dramatic 3:1 set victory over Dynamo Moscow (21:25, 25:20, 25:13, 30:28). "The Railwaymen" took revenge for their loss to the capital team in the championship and are now awaiting the winner of the match between Zenit Kazan and Zenit Saint Petersburg.

The big hero of the evening for the Siberian team was the Bulgarian setterSimeon Nikolov, who played one of his strongest matches with the Lokomotiv team –9 points, +1 efficiency, 2 aces, and 3 blocks. This happened in front of his father Vladimir Nikolov, his mother Maya, and his younger brother and sister, who were present in the hall.

Moni also received the highest rating in the match, 7.1. Out of five attacks, Moni missed only one - in the fourth set, when he sent the counter-attack out for 15:13.

Match Development

The first set started with a slight advantage for Lokomotiv, but Dynamo gradually imposed better organization. After a drop shot by Nikolov, the score became 7:9 for the Muscovites. Although the Novosibirsk team stayed close, an ace by Sapozhkov made the difference more tangible, and after an attack by Vlasov in the middle, Dynamo closed the set at 25:21.

The second set started evenly, but an ace by the excellent Kazachenkov brought Lokomotiv its first serious advantage. Nikolov actively participated – a first block at 9:6, a drop shot for 11:7, and a total of five points by this point. The Bulgarian setter dominated at the net – his second and third blocks made the score 19:15 and 20:16. Following tactical instructions from Plamen Konstantinov, Nikolov directed his serve towards Sapozhkov, which led to an attack out – 22:17. Kurbanov closed the set, and Nikolov exited it with7 points (1 ace and 3 blocks).

The third set was entirely dictated by Lokomotiv. Konstantinov's players quickly accumulated a 4–5 point lead, which swelled to 20:10 after Nikolov's fourth block in the match. By the end, Dynamo managed to score only three more points, and Kurbanov once again put an end to the set. The huge difference in attack –82% against 29%, as well as the superiority in blocking6:1, fully explained the dominance of "the Siberian locomotive".

The fourth set offered true drama. Lokomotiv took a 3–4 point lead, and after Nikolov's ninth point following a counter-attack, the score became 18:15. A series of four unanswered points for Dynamo followed, which put the Muscovites ahead. Sapozhkov brought the first set point for equalization and a tie-break, but a service error and a successful attack by Kurbanov restored parity. After another chance for Dynamo, an attack by Kazachenkov andNikolov's second acesecured the first match point for Lokomotiv. Only on the third such occasion did the capital team make a mistake with a "pipe" attack, and the video challenge confirmed it was out – 30:28 and the end of the match.

Individual Statistics

For Lokomotiv, the top scorer wasKazachenkov with 28 points, followed byKurbanov (15), Kurkaev (9)andSimeon Nikolov (9). For DynamoSapozhkov scored 26 points,Semyshev added 11, whileBogdan – 8.

With this success, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk took a decisive step towards the trophy, and Simeon Nikolov showed that he is increasingly establishing himself as a key figure in Plamen Konstantinov's squad.