(by Steve Hopkins)

The Russian Premier League Final was held this weekend – a best of 3 series between UMMC Jekaterinburg (with a top 3 of Tomislav Pucar, Jonathan Groth, and Liam Pitchford) and Fakel Gazprom Orenburg (lead by Ovtcharov, Freitas and Shibaev).   Gazprom dominated the semifinal round winning 3-0 and 3-0 in their semifinal series and won the first Final match by the same 3-0 score.  The second Final match was tighter, with Freitas falling to Pitchford and Shibaev losing to Groth to give UMMC a 2-0 early lead.

However, It was Ovtcharov, Liventsov, and Freitas who each won to give the powerful Gazprom squad the win, and the 2-0 Final Series victory.

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