This is not the NT thread!
Some remarks to Krasnodar-Moscow: First defeat for Moscow this season. First match in ages without challenge system (I think they introduced it more than two years ago in Russia), I like that there are less interuptions without it. Krasnodar was missing two OH (Pipurynova, Sukhoverkhova) so that Zvereva was a starter for the second time. I think she played well. Bulatovic hardly ever makes changes in the line up. This time Babeshina and Krotkova spent a few minutes on court...
Cup matches this weekend. Four "groups" with the winner going to the final four in Moscow. First named team is host:
Group 1: Kazan, Zarechie, Dinamo Metar (Kazan-Chelyabinsk will also count as a league game since they would meet in the next round)
Group 2: Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Lipetsk (Lipetsk was missing both OPP last game)
Group 3: Uralochka, Krasnodar (Tulitsa would have been the third team but they are until next wednesday)
Group 4: Moscow, Proton, Uralochka 2
Host teams are favourtes. Krasnodar might have a small chance if Pipurynova and Sukhoverkhova can play. Uralochka won ten days ago 3:1 but it was 29:27 in the fourth set.
Startseva is training with the team but won't play http://www.volley.ru/news/22783/.