Bulgaria-Led Trentino Close to Third Back-to-Back World Cup

Tentino Diatec Trento defeated Zenit Kazan on Thursday evening to advance to the FIVB Men's Club World Championship gold-medal match against Jastrzebski Wegiel, due on Friday. Photo by FIVB

Bulgaria-led Trentino is confidently advancing to its third world title after making it to the finals of the FIVB Men's Club World Championship, due on Friday in Doha, Qatar.

Trentino, which is led by Bulgarian Radostin Stoychev and includes two Bulgarian players, defeated in the semi-final late on Thursday the Russian squad Zenit Kazan (second place in Pool A), trained by Valero Vermiglio.

Tentino Diatec Trento defeated Zenit Kazan 25-22, 25-21, 19-25, 25-14 to advance to the FIVB Men's Club World Championship gold-medal match against Jastrzebski Wegiel.

Two-time defending champion Trentino Diatec will attempt to win their third consecutive FIVB Men's Club World Championship on Friday, which would be an unprecedented success.

Trentino Diatec captain, Bulgarian Matey Kaziyski, sparked Trentino Diatec with 17 points, while Osmany Juantorena and Jan Stokr added 16 points.

"We're very satisfied with our performance," Kaziyski said. "Our team spirit and determination to win was great. We had our difficulties, but we managed to keep control and win this match. On Friday we'll play against the Polish team (Jastrzebski Wegiel), another strong team. They have really impressed me in this competition."

The team claimed their second consecutive Men's Club World Championship crown at the end of last year after defeating Poland's PGE Skra Belchatow in the final in Doha.

Radostin Stoychev's team became the second in history to have won the world title twice, following the example of Misura Milano who did so back in 1990 and 1992, although Trentino's feat of back-to-back triumphs is unique in volleyball history.

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