Closing out Superliga 2025 Zenit’s comeback set the tone for a win

There’s a different hum to a season’s last match. You notice the small things: the extra breath before serve, the micro-reactions on the bench, the way the crowd leans forward a second earlier. In Saint Petersburg, Zenit hosted Kuzbass in Round 15 of the men’s Superliga, and I went in with a simple goal: sports photography that reads like the match felt, not just what the scoreboard says.

Kuzbass grabbed the initiative right away. Early leads are gold for match photography: urgency, sharper body language, quick glances that give away pressure. Then, mid-set, Zenit pulled level, edged ahead, and took the opener 25–22. That’s the tricky part behind the camera: the rally is the headline, but the story often sits half a meter away — a blocker’s grin, a setter’s stare, a coach’s hand cutting the air like a metronome. The second set stayed with Zenit (25–20), calmer and more controlled. And the third was the “we’ve figured this out” set: 25–11, with Zenit dictating the rhythm and Kuzbass forced into reactive volleyball.

Final score: 3–0. For me, it’s a neat way to sign off the Superliga year — a match that moves from tension to clarity, giving you a full arc in a single night. If you’re looking for a sports photographer Saint Petersburg for volleyball or any fast-paced indoor event, this is exactly the kind of report-style coverage I build: pace, emotion, and the moments between the points.

See the full gallery with the best moments from Zenit Saint Petersburg vs Kuzbass here: Zenit — Kuzbass.