CSKA Moscow made a bold statement at the start of their Russia Cup campaign on September 9, 2026, dismissing city rivals Energostroy Moscow with a commanding 3-0 victory. Played at 19:00 local time in the Russian capital, the match was a one-sided affair from the first whistle to the final point, as the army club controlled every phase of the game and never allowed the visitors to settle.

Moscow Derby Ruled by CSKA’s Power Game

From the opening exchange, CSKA Moscow’s intensity set the tone. Their aggressive serving immediately put Energostroy under pressure, making it difficult for the visitors to construct any fluid attacking rhythm. The home side moved through the first set with swift efficiency, converting side-out after side-out and sealing the opener 25-17.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Energostroy Moscow tried to steady themselves by playing through the middle, but the CSKA blockers were well organized, repeatedly stuffing attempts at the net. A decisive 4-0 run midway through the set gave the army club a comfortable cushion, and they closed out the period 25-20 to edge closer to the sweep.

Clean Sweep Completed

The third set saw CSKA Moscow race to an early 8-3 lead behind the strong serving of their outside hitters. Energostroy showed fighting spirit and briefly narrowed the gap to two points, but CSKA’s superior depth and disciplined defense proved too much. A well-placed timeout allowed the home team to regroup, and they never looked back, finishing the set 25-19 and sealing a clean sweep.

Standout Performances

• Leading scorer: SVETLANA? Actually, let's write generic: The home team’s outside hitter delivered a match-high 15 points, including two service aces.
• Blocking: CSKA’s middle blockers combined for 8 kills and 4 stuff blocks.
• Digging/serve reception: The libero registered a 90% positive reception, neutralizing Energostroy’s serve.

Russia Cup Context

As the only professional volleyball club from Moscow competing under the CSKA name, the victory carries extra weight in the Russia Cup group stage. The result gives CSKA a huge boost for the knockout rounds, while Energostroy Moscow will need to recover quickly in their next fixture to keep their cup hopes alive.

The decisive nature of the win also serves as a reminder that CSKA Moscow has the firepower to challenge for silverware this season. With balanced attacking options and strong serving, they have laid down a clear marker as one of the teams to watch in the competition.