Captain of Kaliningrad's Lokomotiv, Ekaterina Lyubushkina, has offered her professional perspective on the dramatic conclusion of the 2026 Russian Cup. The final saw Zarechye-Odintsovo claim the trophy after a hard-fought five-set victory over Uralochka-NTMK, with the match ending 3:2 (22:25, 10:25, 25:16, 25:17, 21:19).
Lyubushkina described the Russian Cup as a uniquely demanding tournament, emphasizing its short format where every single match carries immense weight and there is no room for error. She pointed out that the 'Final Six' stage revealed a critical challenge for Kazan Dynamo, suggesting the team did not have sufficient time to physically recover following their recent championship victory. The captain noted the current championship system is extremely lengthy and complex, likening it to a marathon that can take a toll on players.
The Lokomotiv captain expressed pleasant surprise at the performance of Korabelka. She praised the team, stating they proved their earlier successes were not flukes and demonstrated the results of their hard work throughout the season. Similarly, she commended Uralochka for their evident progress, particularly highlighting improvements in their psychological resilience and mental fortitude on the court.
Regarding the final match itself, Lyubushkina acknowledged that Zarechye-Odintsovo ultimately proved to be the stronger side in the decisive moments. She congratulated them on their victory, describing the final as a wonderful and spectacular game. Both teams, in her assessment, gave everything they had on the court, making the final match a true highlight and a fitting crown to the entire season.
While her overall impressions of the tournament and the final were positive, Lyubushkina did note one aspect that left her puzzled: the relatively low attendance in the stands. She remarked that there weren't as many fans as one might expect for such a climactic event, though she did not speculate on the specific reasons behind the smaller crowd.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
