Zenit Kazan crowned Russian volleyball champs

Zenit Kazan have won the Russian volleyball crown after destroying Dynamo Moscow in the fourth game of the final series.

Going into the best-of-five series, the Kazan side were regarded as the hot favorites. The richest club in Russia, with two previous domestic championships, couldn’t afford to lose the home crown after ceding the Champions League final to Italy’s Siena late in March, and reaching only second spot in the regular season. The series was tied at one each after the first two games in Kazan. The Muscovites had two home games in hand in a row. However, they lost the first one on Friday and put themselves on the verge of elimination.

And late on Saturday the Kazan side didn’t give them a single chance – 3-0 (25:17, 25:23, 25:15).After the game, Zenit’s captain, Lloy Ball, confirmed his retirement. He said he was very happy to finish his pro career on a high note, reminding with disappointment to the crowd that Saturday’s game was the last for him in the club’s jersey. “Winning the title is great for me, for the club and for the team,” said the 39-year-old American, who represented the United States men's national volleyball team in four Olympic team competitions.