Damian Schulz attacks before the Sada Cruzeiro block of Taylor Sander and Isac Santos as Asseco Resovia Rzeszow save the day for hosts Poland on the opening night of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship.
Plock, Poland, November 26, 2018 - Russia's Fakel Novy Urengoy and Poland's Asseco Resovia Rzeszow came up with some stunning results on the opening day of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship in Poland to set the pace for what is turning out to be an absolutely thrilling competition.
In the city of Plock, Fakel shocked defending world champions Zenit Kazan in five sets, while in Rzeszow, Resovia knocked down three-time world champions Sada Cruzeiro of Contagem also in a tie-break.
Fakel Novy Urengoy celebrate a huge win over defending champions Zenit Kazan on the opening day of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship.Monday highlights in Plock and Rzeszow:• Fakel Novy Urengoy put an end to Zenit Kazan's five-match winning streak at the Club World Championships.
• Asseco Resovia Rzeszow languish at the bottom of the table domestically in Poland, but only a day after the resignation of club president they pick up amazing win over South America and Brazil champions Sada Cruzeiro.
• Diatecx Trentino, the most decorated club in the history of the Club World Championship, open their 2018 campaign with a sweep of reigning Asian champions Khatam Ardakan of Iran in the only opening day match to be decided in straight sets.
• Last year's runners-up Cucine Lube Civitanova edge hosts PGE Skra Belchatow in an intense opening match.
• Three players share very early pole position in the best scorers list with 22 points each: Artur Udrys (Fakel), Thibault Rossard (Resovia) and Evandro Guerra (Sada Cruzeiro).
Results & Match Centres of Monday:•
PGE Skra Belchatow (POL) - Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) 3-1
•
Zenit Kazan (RUS) - Fakel Novy Urengoy (RUS) 3-2
• Tretino Diatecx (ITA) - Khatam Ardakan (IRI) 3-0
• Asseco Resovia Rzeszow (POL) - Sada Cruzeiro Contagem (BRA) 3-2
The top two teams from each pool travel to Czestochowa on Friday, ahead of crosswise semifinals on Saturday and the medals matches on Sunday.
Teams in Pool B, at Rzeszow, enjoy a rest day on Tuesday, with action only in Pool A in Plock.
Tuesday's Match Centres in Plock:• Cucine Lube Civitanova (ITA) v Zenit Kazan (RUS), at 17.30 local time (16.30 GMT)
• Fakel Novy Urengoy (RUS) v PGE Skra Belchatow (POL), at 20.45 local time (19.45 GMT)
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