Superb UMMC run to MECL semis

January 28, 2014
12:00 am
Champions League Men

Russian champion UMMC reached 2013/14 Men’s European Champions League semi-final in superb style, beating Hennebont 3:0 (triple 3:0) in returning quarter-final match. French club defeated them 3:2 in first leg. Now, UMMC waits to see will it play against reigning champion Orenburg or Borussia Düsseldorf, but knowing that Vladimir SAMSONOV & Co. had almost elusive advantage from 1^st leg (3:0, 9:4), it will be all-Russian semis by all odds.

UMMC has not been in good shape in first game, when Japanese Jun MIZUTANI took both its points. That clash was finished by Dmitrij PROKOPCOV`s 3:0 win against Alexander SHIBAEV who lost his nerves after 2:0 and referee punished him for unsporting behavior (11:0 in 3^rd set). But, today everything was perfect in Tatiana KUTERGINA`s side which players needed just three games each to secure semi-final.

First national champion of Japan, Jun MIZUTANI overcame Kalinikos KREANGA who had just one, but small chance to do something more in third set. Their meeting at France was also finished in MIZUTANI`s favor, but took fours sets.

Alexander SHIBAEV was redeemed for poor performances at France where he lost twice (3:1 from KREANGA, 3:0 from PROKOPCOV). Today he was perfect against CHEN Chien-An who beat Joao MONTEIRO last week. Russian kept his rival on safe distance all the time.

Finally, Joao MONTEIRO confirmed UMMC`s win, overcoming Dmitrij PROKOPCOV. Portuguese dominated, while Czech was far from his play in first leg.

The 2013/14 Men’s ECL quarter-final (second match)

UMMC – Hennebont 3:0
Jun MIZUTANI – Kalinikos KREANGA 3:0 (11:8, 11:7, 12:10)
Alexander SHIBAEV – CHEN Chien-An 3:0 (11:4, 11:7, 11:7)
Joao MONTEIRO – Dmitrij PROKOPCOV 3:0 (11:8, 11:4, 11:8)

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