When the ball goes up this Saturday, Dec 16th, afternoon in the modern Tauron Arena, Sada Cruzeiro and Zenit Kazan will write another page of the historical derby, for a place in the Club World Championship semifinals. The match starts at 2:30pm (Brasília time), 5:30pm local time and only the victory matters to the blue team so it can go forward in the fight for the fourth title. Sportv broadcasts live to Brazil and FIVB also shows the game in its YouTube channel.

Sada Cruzeiro’s block working against Zaksa on the last game – FIVB

Among three Europeans, A South-American club has the challenge of keep making history and break records. Sada Cruzeiro is the Brazilian team which achieved the best results of all time, been three-time World Champion (2013, 2015 and 2015). Before them, the best place that a South-American club had achieved was a silver medal: Banespa, in 1990 and 1991.

And focus and determination will not be missed for Marcelo Mendez’s group. The team travelled this Friday to Krakow and already practiced at the Tauron Arena, stage of the game.

“It is an amazing gymnasium, modern, beautiful and very large. We have been told that it is one of the best in Europe and it is really nice. We are already in the expectation to play here and to do our best. Polish people are truly passionate about volleyball. We felt it in Opole, where we were welcomed very well. And here in Krakow the gym probably will be also crowded”, said capitain Filipe.

Zenit Kazan and Sada Cruzeiro will meet again after the last two World Champion finales that the clubs starred. In both times, the Brazilians left as winners and celebrated over the Russians.

To Nico Uriarte, that arrived this season to Sada Cruzeiro, the past does not matter now. “What is important is for us to play well. For us, it is already a finale. And it really is decisive. Our team is improving and growing a lot game after game and we will get in the court confident”, said the setter.

In the other semifinal Lube Civitanova and Skra Belchatow fight for the last spot in the finale at 5:30pm (Brasília time).