Lokomotiv Novosibirsk once again proved capable of breaking the Russian champion Zenit Kazan. Plamen Konstantinov's team snatched a thrilling victory with3:2 (19:25, 28:26, 22:25, 25:23, 15:13)in front of their home crowd in a match that featured a nightmarish start, an incredible revival in the second set, a series of video challenges, and a tie-break decided by serve and nerves in the final points.
Before the match, Dima Lyzik and Moni Nikolov were honored, having been named to Russia's symbolic team of the first half of the season.

Set 1: Nightmarish Start and Zenit's Control

Lokomotiv failed to adapt to the aggressive serving and blocking of the visitors. Zenit pulled ahead early with 1:6, maintained a distance throughout the set, and the lead reached 8:15. The hosts couldn't find their rhythm, and the set went to the champion – 19:25.

Set 2: Resurrection from 15:22 and an Ace by Nikolov for 23:23

The second set was the tightest in the match. Lokomotiv took the lead early, and Simeon Nikolov's first point came from an ace for 2:1. However, Zenit went on a run and reached 15:22, when everything seemed decided.

It was then that Loko "resurrected" with 6 unanswered points, including two blocks against Maxim Mikhaylov for 21:22. The visitors were the first to reach set point at 21:24, but a video challenge awarded a point to the hosts – 22:23. Nikolov served an ace for 23:23, also confirmed by a video challenge. In overtime, Lokomotiv snatched the set with 28:26 and leveled the score.

Set 3: Lokomotiv Led, but Volkov Closed for Zenit

The third set started evenly, with the hosts leading 18:15 and 19:17. However, Zenit equalized, and in the end, Lokomotiv's errors and Volkov's decisive attacks tipped the scales. The champion snatched the set – 22:25.

Set 4: Two Aces, Video Challenge, and Tie-break

The fourth set did not start well for the hosts, but they pulled ahead to 5:2 after two aces from Kurbanov. The pressure continued, and at 12:8 (after a block by Lyzik), Lokomotiv was in control, reaching 16:10.

Zenit made a dangerous comeback, but when attempting to equalize at 19:19, Lokomotiv's video challenge detected a net violation by the visitors, making the score 20:18. A strong serve by Nikolov assisted Lyzik's counter-attack for 21:18, and Kazachenkov brought set point. Lokomotiv closed at 25:23, sending the match to a tie-break.

Set 5: 8:3, Zenit's Comeback, and Lokomotiv's Final Strike

The tie-break started excellently for the hosts – after serving pressure from Nikolov and a block by Kurkaev, followed by an attack by Kazachenkov, it became 6:2, and Lokomotiv reached 8:3. Zenit came back to 11:10, but an important attack by Kazachenkov and an ace by Nikolov restored the lead – 13:10.

After Lyzik's attack went out, the score became 13:12, but Loko reached match point, and in the final rallies held on and closed at 15:13, after Maxim Mikhaylov served out.

Top Scorers

Kazachenkov carried the main load in attack, but the key factor for the comebacks was Nikolov's serve \u2014 3 aces and constant pressure, which provided direct points and counter-opportunities in the most crucial moments.

Volkov and Labinsky kept Zenit in the match in key segments, but this time the champion couldn't close out the game, even though they had the initiative at times.

Team statistics

The commentary on the numbers is extremely indicative – Zenit Kazan dominates in almost all key elements of the game. The champion has more blocks, better attack efficiency, more secure positive reception, and even one more ace. Against this background, Lokomotiv's victory looks even more impressive, because the hosts won the match not through statistical superiority, but through character, key runs in crucial moments, and composure in the tie-break, when one or two balls made the difference. It was the mentality and play in the final rallies that brought success to Novosibirsk.