NEWS

It is semi-final time in the CEV Volleyball Champions League and the ‘Match of the Week’ on Wednesday between Sir Colussi Sicoma PERUGIA and Zenit KAZAN could not be any more exciting for the fans to follow. Volleyball superstar Wilfredo Leon plays his former team from Russia for the very first time after moving to Italy for the 2018-2019 season. Leon helped Zenit claim a record four straight #CLVolleyM titles between 2015 and 2018 – and edged PERUGIA twice in the process, once in the gold medal match (in 2017), and once in the semis (last year). Make sure you follow this must-watch match on EuroVolleyTV, the digital home of European Volleyball!

Head-to-Head
•    Sir Colussi Sicoma PERUGIA have lost both of their previous Champions League meetings with Zenit KAZAN.
•    Zenit KAZAN defeated PERUGIA 3-0 in the 2017/18 semi-finals and 3-0 in the 2016/17 final.
•    Current PERUGIA player Wilfredo Leon Venero played for Zenit KAZAN in the previous two match-ups between the teams. He scored 19 points (6 aces) in the 2017/18 semi-final match and 16 points (4 aces) in the 2016/17 final.
•    Zenit KAZAN are the only opponents PERUGIA have played against in the CL without ever winning.
•    Zenit are currently on a nine-match winning run in the CL against teams from Italy, since a 3-0 defeat against Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA in the 2013/14 group phase.

Sir Colussi Sicoma PERUGIA
•    Sir Colussi Sicoma PERUGIA reached the semi-finals by defeating CHAUMONT VB 52 HM in the quarterfinals, 3-2 in Chaumont and 3-0 in Perugia.
•    PERUGIA recorded a top-three finish in their previous two CL participations: runners-up to Zenit KAZAN in 2016/17 and third place in 2017/18.
•    Three Italian sides have won the CL: Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA (2001/02), Sisley TREVISO (2005/06) and TRENTINO Itas (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11).
•    PERUGIA are on a nine-match winning run in the CL, including winning all eight this season. Only in 2017/18 have they recorded a longer CL winning streak: 11 matches.
•    PERUGIA and Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA are the only teams still undefeated this CL season.
•    PERUGIA have lost only one of their 22 CL matches contested in Italy, a 3-0 defeat against Zenit KAZAN in the 2016/17 final in Rome.
•    PERUGIA scored 30 points from killing blocks in their quarterfinal matches, at least seven more than any other team.
•    Fabio Ricci scored 10 points from killing blocks in the quarterfinals, at least four more than any other player has.
•    Aleksandar Atanasijevic served up six aces in the quarterfinals, joint-most alongside Zenit SAINT PETERSBURG's György Grozer.

Zenit KAZAN
•    In the quarterfinals, Zenit KAZAN needed a golden set (15-12) against Trefl GDANSK in order to advance to the semi-finals. Both teams had won their away match 3-2.
•    Zenit reached the last four for the ninth CL season in a row, since an eighth place in 2009/10.
•    Zenit could reach the CL final for a record-extending eighth time. TRENTINO Itas follows on four CL finals.
•    Zenit have won a record six CL titles, of which four were won in the last four seasons: 2007/08, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.
•    Zenit's 3-2 defeat against Trefl GDANSK in the quarterfinals ended a CL record winning streak of 30 matches. It was their first CL defeat since a 3-2 against PGE Skra BELCHATOW in the Playoff 6 on 16 March 2016.
•    Zenit have lost successive CL matches on only two occasions. In 2009/2010, they lost 3-1 to both CSKA SOFIA (group) and Olympiacos PIRAEUS (Playoff 12). In 2013/14, they lost 3-1 to both Belogorie BELGOROD (semi-final) and JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel (third-place decider).
•    Zenit have won at least two sets in each of their last 52 CL matches, since a 3-1 defeat against JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel on 23 March 2014.
•    Only CHAUMONT's Michael Saeta (28) has served up more aces this CL season than Earvin Ngapeth (22).
•    Alexander Butko is the best setter in this season's CL with an efficiency of 61.82%.