Dinamo defend Russian championship

Dinamo Volgograd won the Final Four play-offs of the Russian Women’s Super League. Therefore Victor Ryabykh’s team earned the direct Champions League spot, while Zvezda Zvenigorod must go through EHF Champions League qualification.

As winner of the Russian Super League’s group phase, Volgograd played host to the two-day tournament that decided the winner of the national league.

In the first semi-final, title holder Dinamo met Lada Togliatti, the team from with a EHF Champions League past. Favorite Dinamo overran their opponent 30:26, despite struggling in first half.

Their final opponent there was Zvezda Zvenigorod. Evgeny Trefilov’s club easily beat Rostov 31:18, allowing only five received goals in the first half.

In the reprise of last year’s final, Dinamo took advantage of their home court. With their high quality backs Kochetova, Levina, and Khmyrova scoring 21 goals, Ryabykh’s team celebrated a 27:23 victory.

Anna Kochetova was also Russian top scorer with 155 goals during the season.

The bronze medal went to Rostov Don, a team that has now established itself among the elite of Russian handball by defeating Togliatti.