I’m living the American way of life in Russia- Kazan star Quinn Larson

Dinamo Kazan’s US-American Jordan Quinn Larson-Burbach finds hometown feeling in faraway Russia.

Hamburger and Borsh, Starbucks-Coffee and Samovar, Nebraska and Kazan; let’s confess, almost nobody would see any connection between these things. Jordan Quinn Larson – Burbach, however, does. The 27 years old universal player lives between two worlds, in more than just one aspect – and the reason is the big passion for volleyball.

Almost everybody knows the old stories from the Cold War between the two world powers, Uncle Sam and the old Bear. Jordan Larson-Burbach, however, doesn’t take too narrow the view of this: “I really enjoy it in Kazan. I already feel a little bit like a Russian, even though I don’t speak really well the language.

The people are so friendly.” The US national player can’t wrap up in secrecy her problems with the Pushkin’s and Dostoevsky’s language: “Although I’ve been playing already some time here in Kazan, I still have some problems with Russian. I think it’s quite hard to learn it, but I’m so glad that my teammates help me with this.”
The US-American national player already feels like home, how she explains, even more because there are some parallels between her hometown and Kazan: “I’m from Nebraska. It’s cold there too. Not -20° degree like in Russia, but cold. That’s the reason why the weather wasn’t a big shock for me.”

The 27 years old universal player, however, sees some big differences too: “I’m from a small town in Nebraska. Kazan, in comparison, is an impressive, big city. I’m really happy that I don’t live in the centre, because in my neighbourhood there’s not as much traffic as there is downtown.” But that’s not the only distinction between her hometown and Kazan. “I think there’s another driving style in Russia. I’ve got sometimes the feeling that people drive however and wherever they want. It was quite strange for me, when I was on the streets for the first time there.”

But what’s an American without the typical American food? Fast food and fast coffee are the epitome of the “American way of life”. As there aren’t as many fast food restaurant as there are in the US, even Jordan Larson sometimes have longing for the taste of her home, she confesses: “I know some really nice restaurants in Kazan and like to go there with my friends, but there are missing some typical American restaurants – and I have yearning sometimes.”

However, there’s almost no other possibility for the American national player to play professionally volleyball than abroad. The reason why is easy to find: There’s no professional league in the US like there are in Europe and South America. Like many of other American volleyball players, for example Volero Zurich’s Courtney Thompson too, the national universal player had to leave her home if she wanted to play volleyball on a high club level. Not always an easy decision: “I really enjoy seeing new places and meeting new person. Even though, I have sometimes longing for the USA.” But Jordan Larson has got support to feel more like home, even in Kazan: “My teammates are amazing and help me a lot. I also started to enjoy the Russian cuisine and drinking Samovar.”

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Brazil’s Molico and Russia’s Kazan through to women’s Club World championship’s final

Brazil’s Molico/Osasco and Russia’s Dinamo Kazan booked final tickets at the 2014 Women’s Club World Championship following their victories over Switzerland’s Volero Zurich and Brazil’s SESI-SP respectively in the semifinal of the competition held at Saalsporthalle in Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday.

Molico/Osasco took over Switzerland’s Volero Zurich 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20) in 104 minutes in the first semifinal of the competition to set their third final in 4 participations, while Dinamo Kazan had to fight for 108 minutes to overwhelm Brazil’s SESI-SP 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-14).

Now Dinamo Kazan face Molico/Osasco in the competition final at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT), while SESI-SP face Switzerland’s Volero Zurich for the bronze medal at 14:00 local time.

What made the semifinal day as a thrilling incident was the extra ordinary performance from some players who made a lot of records led by Kazan’s weapon Ekaterina Gamova who made the best scoring performance in the competition so far and her team showed also the competition best blocking performance.

The matches were attended by FIVB President Dr Ary Graca, FIVB Executive Vice President Andre Meyer and Control Committee President Alexander Boricic.

Molico Osasco (BRA) beat Volero Zurich (SUI) 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20)

Brazil’s Molico/Osasco continued their magnificent performance at the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with a hard-fought win over Switzerland’s Volero Zurich 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20) in the first semifinal of the competition.

Molico played a high-spirit game in the first set, but suddenly Volero caught fire to dominate the second set before again the Brazilian team regained their rhythm to win the third and fourth sets

Molico’s big gun Sheilla Castro finished as the top scorer of the winning side with 16 points, including one block and two Aces. Middle blocker Silva Adenizia contributed 15 while outside hitter Sanja Malagurski 11. Kenia Carcaces was the big weapon of Volero with 18 points followed by Olesia Rykhliuk 11.

Molico also had a slight dominance in dying blocks with 9-7 dominance and in Aces 6-5.

“We brought back the Brazilian passion and happiness in our game,” said Molico Osasco captain Sheilla Castro who was the best scorer of her team. “Volero had a real good blocking game and with Carcaces a real strong attacker. Nevertheless, we received well. We want to reduce our own errors now and be 100% ready for the final tomorrow. There’s some pressure now on us, but this is normal. We want to put our opponents under pressure.”

Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v SESI-SP (BRA) 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-14)

Coming off winners against Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs and Brazil’s Molico/Osasco in their first two Pool B matches, Dinamo Kazan kept their momentum going with a 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-14) victory over South American Champions SESI-SP in the second semifinal of the 2014 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship.

The Russians played text book volleyball from start to finish and did not allow the opponent to develop any strategy to stop them. They served furiously, showed solid blocking and displayed their arsenal of power in the attacks.

The magnificent Kazan’s Attacker Ekaterina Gamova led the balanced offense of Russia with impressive 34 points which is the best scoring performance in the competition so far, followed by the outside hitter Jordan Larson-Burbach. SESI’s opposite attacker Ivna Marra was the best scorer from the Brazilian team with 25 points making the competition second best performance.

Dinamo Kazan Rishat Gilyazutidnov commented after the match: “Sesi-SP played really well today. They had a compact defense and challenged us. Fabiana is an incredible player and did a good job today. After arriving in the hotel, we have to prepare for the final game against Molico Osasco, even more as the regeneration time is really short. Our medical team will have to do a lot, but we will be ready. We want to play with a lot of emotions tomorrow and win this tournament.”

Semifinal Results
Molico Osasco (BRA) v Volero Zurich (SUI) 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 25-20)
Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v SESI-SP (BRA) 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-14)

Final Programme on May 10
14:00: Bronze medal- Volero Zurich (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA)
16:30: Final- Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v Molico/Osasco (BRA)

2014 Women’s Club World Championship Performances

Top Scoring Performances
34 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v SESI-SP – BRA (May 10)
25 – Ivna Marra (SESI-SP- BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus v (May 10)
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)
22 – Irina Voronkova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Molico (BRA) (May 9)
20 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus v (May 9)
19 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v GSP – ALG (May 8)
19 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)
18 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
18 – Kenia Carcaces (Volero- Sui) v Molico- BRA (May 10)
17 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Molico- BRA (May 7)
17 – Yuki Ishii (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)
17 – Sheilla Castro (Molico- BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus v (May 9)

Top Blocking Performances
6 – Correa Ana Beatriz of SESI-SP (BRA) v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
6 – Thaisa Menezes Molico (BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 9)
5 – Adenizia Silva of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
5 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Molico- BRA (May 9)
4 – Fabiana Claudino SESI- BRA v GSP (ALG) (May 9)
4 – Mira Todorova of Volero- SUI v GSP (ALG) (May 8)
4 – Priscila Daroit of SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
4 – Thaisa Menezes of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu – JPN) (May 7)
4 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)
4 – Adenizia Silva of Molico- BRA v Volero- SUI (May 10)
4 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v SESI- BRA (May 10)

Top Blocking Performances by Team
17 – SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
17 – Kazan- RUS v SESI (BRA) (May 10)
15 – Molico (BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
14 – Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Molico – Brazil (May 9)

Top Serving Performances
4 – Aicha Mezemate (GSP- ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
3 – Adenizia Silva (Molico- BRA) v Volero (SUI) (May 10)
3 – Ana Beatriz Correa (SESI-BRA) v Kazan-Rus (May 10)

Top Serving Performances by Team
8 – Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v Molico (BRA) (MAY 9)
6 – Molico (BRA) v Volero (SUI) (MAY 10)
6 – Kazan (RUS) v SESI (BRA) (May 10)
5 – GSP- (ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
5 – Volero (SUI) v Molico (BRA) (MAY 10)
3 – GSP- (ALG) v SESI- BRA (May 9)
3 – Volero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May 7)

Highest Scorers by day
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (day 1, May 7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (day 2,May 8)
22 – Irina Voronkova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Molico (BRA) (Day 3, May 9)
34 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v SESI-SP (BRA) (day 4,May 10)

Highest Set Score
29-27 – SESI-SP (BRA) v Dinamo Kazan (RUS)
26-24 – Volero (SUI) v GSP (ALG)
26-24 – Molico (BRA) v Kazan (RUS)

Highest Scoring Matches
203 – Dinamo Kazan v Molico 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14)
189 – Dinamo Kazan v SESI 3-1 (25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-14)
186 – Valero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) 3-2 (25-12, 25-18, 15-25, 15-25, 15-10)
184 – Dinamo Kazan v Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

Brazil’s SESI-SP complete semifinal tickets at Women’s Volleyball Club World Champs

2014

FIVB Women’s Club World Championship- Day 3

Zurich, Switzerland, May 9, 2014- South American champions SESI-SP from Brazil completed the semifinal line up at the 2014 Women’s Club World championship to join the already qualified Switzerland’s Volero Zurich (Pool A), Russia’s Dinamo Kazan and Brazil’s Molico/Osasco (Pool B) to the knock out stage of the prestigious FIVB competition.

SESI-SP picked up a straight sets victory in their deceive match against GS Petroliers (25-18, 25-12, 25-16) to come second in Pool A with 1-1 record, and confirm the second ticket to semifinal of pool A after Volero Zurich booked the first on Thursday.

Dinamo Kazan fought for 117 minutes to achieve a thrilling victory over Molico/Osasco (BRA) in grueling five-setter 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14) to finish at the top of the pool and Molico came second but both teams confirmed semifinal berth

Pool A
SESI-SP (BRA) beat GS Petroliers (ALG) 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-16)

Brazil’s SESI-SP held off feisty Algeria’s GS Petroliers in straight sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-16) to book the last semifinal ticket of the 2014 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in Pool A match at Saalsporthalle.

The victory improved SESI-SP’s win- loss ratio to 1-1 with 4 points to finish the pool stage at the second position after the leaders Volero Zurich who were in rest day after finishing their matches with a 2-0 record (5 points). GSP came at the bottom of the pool with 0-2.

Outside hitter Suelle Oliveira topped the list of the scores for the winners with 15 points, followed closely by opposite Ivna Marra 14. Middle blocker Fabiana Claudino finished with 10, including her key blocks each set.

GSP’s big gun Zohra Bensalem leads her team scorers with 8 points ahead of both center Aicha Mezemate and setter Fatma Okazi 6 points.

“We committed some unforced errors in the game, but, in general, we can be happy with our performance today, SESI-SP captain Fabiana Claudino said after the match, “The semi-final game will be hard work for us, but we can do it. We know Molico well and have already played and won some important games against them. Our own reception and blocking game will be important to win.”

Pool B
Dinamo Kazan beat Molico/Osasco (BRA) 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14)

Zurich, Switzerland, May 9, 2014- A slick performance by Russia’s Dinamo Kazan brought them their second win of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14) against Brazil’s Molico/Osasco at Saalsporthalle in Zurich, Switzerland on Friday.

After Kazan led comfortably 2-0, Molico came back aggressively to draw 2-2 before the exciting tiebreak showed hard fought for a narrow win for the Russians.

With the victory Kazan improved their won- loss ratio to 2-0 at the end of the preliminary round to lead Pool B with 5 points. Molico/Osasco dropped to 1-1 with 4 points to finish second and both teams already qualified to the semifinal.

Now Pool A winners Volero Zurich (SUI) play second of Pool B Molico/Osasco in the first semifinal on Saturday, while Pool B leaders Dinamo Kazan (RUS) will face second of Pool A SESI-SP (Brazil) in the second semis.

Despite committing plenty errors during the whole match, the superiority of Kazan in the areas of serve and blocking gave the victory to the European side.

Based on strong serves and huge blocks Kazan outclassed their opponents establishing overwhelming differences of 13-8 in the blocking stats and 8-4 in the aces category.

Irina Voronkova paced the winners with 20 points, including one block and one ace, while Maria Popova and Irina Malkova and contributed 16 and 12 respectively. Thaisa Menezes led the defeated side with 20 points followed by Sheilla Castro 17.

“As we already knew yesterday that we would be qualified for the semi-finals, we wanted to save our power for those games. That’s the reason why I we let some reserve players to play. They did a good job in the first two sets, but had some lack of concentration afterwards. Losing was no option to us. We wanted to win this game as it’s “victory day” in Russia, one of the most important days in our country.” Dinamo Kazan coach Rishat Gilyazutdinov said

Day 3 Results
Pool A: SESI-SP (BRA) beat GS Petroliers (ALG) 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-16)
Pool B: Molico/Osasco (BRA) beat Dinamo Kazan 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14)

Semifinal Programme on May 10
15:30: Volero Zurich (SUI) v Molico/Osasco (BRA)
18:00: Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v SESI-SP (BRA)

2014 Women’s Club World Championship Performances

Top Scoring Performances
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)
22 – Irina Voronkova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Molico (BRA) (May 9)
20 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus v (May 9)
19 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v GSP – ALG (May 8)
19 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)
18 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
17 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Molico- BRA (May 7)
17 – Yuki Ishii (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)
17 – Sheilla Castro (Molico- BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus v (May 9)

Top Blocking Performances
6 – Correa Ana Beatriz of SESI-SP (BRA) v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
6 – Thaisa Menezes Molico (BRA) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 9)
5 – Adenizia Silva of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
5 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Molico- BRA (May 9)
4 – Fabiana Claudino SESI- BRA v GSP (ALG) (May 9)
4 – Mira Todorova of Volero- SUI v GSP (ALG) (May 8)
4 – Priscila Daroit of SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
4 – Thaisa Menezes of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu – JPN) (May 7)
4 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)

Top Blocking Performances by Team
17 – SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
15 – Molico (BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
14 – Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Molico – Brazil (May 9)
13 – SESI-SP BRA v GSP – ALG (May 9)

Top Serving Performances
4 – Aicha Mezemate (GSP- ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
2 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
2 – Mira Golubovic Volero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May 7)

Top Serving Performances by Team
8 – Dinamo Kazan (RUS) v Molico (BRA) (MAY 9)
5 – GSP- (ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
3 – GSP- (ALG) v SESI- BRA (May 9)
3 – Volero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May 7)

Highest Scorers by day
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (day 1, May 7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (day 2,May 8)
22 – Irina Voronkova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Molico (BRA) (Day 3, May 9)

Highest Set Score
26-24 – Volero (SUI) v GSP (ALG)
26-24 – Molico (BRA) v Kazan (RUS)

Highest Scoring Matches
203 – Dinamo Kazan v Molico 3-2 (25-11, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 16-14)
186 – Valero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) 3-2 (25-12, 25-18, 15-25, 15-25, 15-10)
184 – Dinamo Kazan v Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

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Switzerland’s Volero, Russia’s Kazan and Brazil’s Molico book semifinal tickets at Women’s Club World Champs

Three clubs book their semifinal tickets at the 2014 Women’s Club World championship after the day 2 matches of the competition as Switzerland’s Volero Zurich, Russia’s Dinamo Kazan and Brazil’s Molico/Osasco already confirmed their places in knock out stage leaving only a place for the third and last day of the preliminary round.

Volero Zurich set the second victory over Algeria’s GS Petroliers 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-13) in Pool A, while Russia’s Dinamo Kazan fought aggressively to take on Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18) in Pool B match held at Saalsporthalle in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday.

Volero confirmed their position as top of Pool A leaving one ticket to the semifinal for day 3 match between GSP and Brazil’s Molico/Osasco. In Pool B both Dinamo Kazan and South American champions SESI-SP booked semifinal tickets even before they meet together in the third day to confirm their positions in Pool.

Pool A
Volero Zurich (SUI) beat GS Petroliers (ALG) 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-13)

Volero Zurich continued their magnificent start to the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with a win 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-13) win over Algeria’s GS Petroliers in the competition day 2 at Saalsporthalle in front of 1370 supporters.

With the victory Volero improved their win- loss ratio in the Pool A to 2-0 at the end of their pool matches to confirm a semifinal ticket as top of the pool with one remaining match between GSP and Brazil’s SESI-SP. Playing their first match GSP dropped to 0-1.

Home opposite Olesia Rykhliuk stood above all players in the scorers chart with 19 points. Teammates Nadja Ninkovic scored 10. Outside hitter Zohra Bensalem contributed 8 points for GSP as best scorer from her side.

“We have to prepare now for the big semi-final game,” said Volero Zurich coach Mira Golubovic after the qualification to the knockout stage. “I think we prepared really well for this game today and showed our potential. We weren’t concentrated at some moments of the second set. We believe in our chance and want to play the final game.”

Pool B
Dinamo Kazan beat Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

Dinamo Kazan opened their campaign at the 2014 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with a convincing 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18) win in Pool B over struggling Hisamitsu Springs of Japan in the second day of the competition.

After Hisamitsu led in the first set with a marvelous performance, Dinamo Kazan rebounded back to win three successive sets in their way to achieve the victory that booked a semifinal ticket to their team and also for Brazil’s Molico/Osasco after both teams become 1-0, while Hisamitsu finished their pool matches with a win- loss ratio of 0-2.

Kazan’s Ekaterina Gamova proved to be the heart of her team as the opposite who shifted during the match to play as outside hitter scored 23 points to lead the match scorers followed by Quinn Larson-Burbach 11 points. Hisamitsu’s opposite spiker Miyu Nagaoka led her team scorers with 19 tallies followed by hitter Yuki Ishii 17 points.

“We struggled a little bit in the very beginning of the game. On the other side, Hisamitsu played incredibly well in their own defense. We couldn’t get our points. Afterwards, as we did some changes in our tactics, we could improve and find back to our game. We want to prepare now for the big game against the Brazilians tomorrow. It will be a tough fight.” Dinamo Kazan’s Captain Jordan Quinn said after the match.

Day 2 Results
Pool A: Volero Zurich (SUI) beat GS Petroliers (ALG) 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-13)
Pool B: Dinamo Kazan beat Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

2014 Women’s Club World Championship Performances

Top Scoring Performances
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)
19 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v GSP – ALG (May 8)
19 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)
18 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
17 – Miyu Nagaoka (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Molico- BRA (May 7)
17 – Yuki Ishii (Hisamitsu- JPN) v Dinamo Kazan- Rus (May 8)

Top Blocking Performances
6 – Correa Ana Beatriz of SESI-SP (BRA) v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
5 – Adenizia Silva of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
4 – Mira Todorova of Volero- SUI v GSP (ALG) (May 8)
4 – Priscila Daroit of SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
4 – Thaisa Menezes of Molico- BRA v Hisamitsu – JPN) (May 7)
4 – Regina Moroz of Dinamo Kazan- Rus v Hisamitsu- JPN (May 8)

Top Blocking Performances by Team
17 – SESI- BRA v Volero (SUI) (May 7)
15 – Molico (BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)

Top Serving Performances
4 – Aicha Mezemate (GSP- ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
2 – Thaisa Menezes (Molico- BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)
2 – Mira Golubovic Volero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May 7)

Top Serving Performances by Team
5 – GSP- (ALG) v Volero (SUI) (May 8)
3 – Volero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (May 7)
2 – Molico (BRA) v Hisamitsu (JPN) (May 7)

Highest Scorers by day
25 – Olesia Rykhliuk (Volero- SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) (day 1, May 7)
24 – Ekaterina Gamova (Dinamo Kazan- Rus) v Hisamitsu- JPN (day 2,May 8)

Highest Set Score
26-24 -Volero (SUI) v GSP (ALG)

Highest Scoring Matches
186 – Valero (SUI) v SESI-SP (BRA) 3-2 (25-12, 25-18, 15-25, 15-25, 15-10)
184 – Dinamo Kazan v Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18)

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Molico Osasco- Dinamo Kazan out to make history at 2014 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship

Molico Osasco could make history as the first team ever to win the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship title twice when the tournament is held for the eighth time from May 7 to 11 in Zurich, Switzerland.

The finalist from the South American Championship has a wildcard to thank for the opportunity to compete in the Championship, which features six of the top teams from around the world.

“Being crowned Club World Champions was definitely one of the greatest successes in my career,” said libero Camila Brait who travels to this year’s event full of optimism. “We know it will be tough, but we also believe in the potential of our team.” Brait and Adenizia Silva are the only players in the squad to have been involved on all three occasions the club has competed in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship. With silver in 2010, bronze in 2011 and gold in 2012, the ladies have their sights set on adding a second gold to that collection.

Coach Luizomar de Moura was delighted to be invited to this “wonderful competition”, but was keen to emphasise the strength of the opposition. “It will be very difficult, as there are five teams who could win the title this time,” he said. Only African champions G.S.Petroliers (GSP) of Algeria, who were awarded the tournament’s second wildcard, are seen as outsiders. They are joined at the FIVB Women’s Cub World Championship by hosts Volero Zurich, 2014 South America Women’s Club Championship winners SESI-SP, European Club Champions Dinamo Kazan and the winners of the Asia Club Championship, Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs.

Molico Osasco will face two of these title-contenders in the preliminary pool. After the opening match against Hisamitsu Springs at 17:30 local time (15:30 GMT) on Wednesday (Volero Zurich will take on SESI-SP at 20:00 (18:00 GMT)) one of the hot favourites to win the tournament awaits in the preliminary round, in the form of Dinamo Kazan. Spearheaded by the outstanding attacker Ekaterina Gamova, the Russian’s are also aiming to make history for never before has a team from the reigning World Champion nation won the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship.

The final of the European Champions League saw Kazan complete a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions VakifBank Istanbul – the very team that had won the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in Zurich the previous year. MVP Gamova said at the time, “We are the champions of Europe and we want to try to become the champions of the world.” However, Dinamo Kazan have had a busy build-up to the big championship. Coach Rishat Gilyazutdinov’s players qualified for the final of the Russian championship with three victories against semi-final opponents Dynamo Krasnodar on May 1.

The team, which is led by Gamova and USA’s Jordan Quinn Larson-Burbach, arrives at the championship in top form and is looking to become the eighth club to go down in the role of honour.

The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship has had seven different winners from four different countries. Brazil has been represented on the winner’s podium three times, Turkey twice, while Azerbaijan and Italy have had clubs climb onto the top step of the podium once. Brazil – the Olympic champions – have two irons in the fire in Zurich with SESI-SP having just as good a chance of winning as Molico Osasco.

SESI-SP won 3-0 against Molico Osasco in the final of the South American championship in February. SESI-SP also triumphed en route to the final of the Brazilian championship, where they lost 3-1 to Unilever Volei. SESI-SP captain Fabiana Claudino still feels they have a good chance. “We have all worked very hard in recent months and are optimistic,” she said.

The same obviously goes for the hosts, who recently confirmed their status as the best Swiss women’s volleyball team, winning its ninth national title in 10 years. Volero Zurich is undefeated in 78 matches in Switzerland, with their last loss more than two years ago in January 2012 in Neuchâtel. The team came fourth at the 2013 FIVB Women’s Club World Championships. And with Mira Golubovic captaining a host of international stars it has its sights set on a podium win this time round.

FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° emphasised the importance of the FIVB Club World Championships, which is set to begin on Tuesday with the best men’s club teams in the world meeting in Belo Horizonte to play for the title. “There is a different dynamic to club volleyball, which is not a surprise given that each team brings together players from various cultures and backgrounds. Each player knows that they have to work with their team-mates, regardless of their individual style and technique, to attain the best possible result for the team as a whole,” said Graça.

“With that work ethic, it is not surprising that the Club World Championships have launched the careers of many athletes who have used this level of competition to hone their skills and techniques, which also translate well to their national team endeavours. The FIVB has the perfect recipe to encourage the development and growth of clubs right around the world.”