The European crown remains in Perugia!
In the spectacular atmosphere of the magnificent "Inalpi Arena" in Turin, Perugia once again defeated Zawiercie from Poland in a rematch of last year's CEV Champions League final - 3:0 (29:27, 25:18, 25:15), which turned out to be even easier than last season, when the fifth set was decisive in the final performance.
The team led from the bench by the legendary Angelo Lorenzetti has completed a dream season, in which it achieved all victories in the Champions League, stormed through the final four without dropping a set, and won the title in the Italian championship.
Similar to Zavjerće in the final, another Polish team, Projekt from Warsaw, also made it through to the semifinals (25:19, 25:20, 26:24).
In the final, the drama was only seen in the first set. After that, the Italian giant took complete control and demonstrated volleyball of the highest possible level.
The hero of the final was once again the unstoppable Wasim Ben Tara, winning 24 points. His devastating serves and killer execution broke the resistance of the Polish champion at key moments.
"To finish the season with the European title, and in the way we did it, is really special. People might say it's easy when you have players like this, but losing only three matches throughout the season makes this year historic for Perugia," said Ben Tara.
The final was also particularly emotional when one of the greatest liberos of the modern era said goodbye. Massimo Collaci lifted his third Champions League trophy in the final dance of his glittering career, and was also named MVP of the final tournament in Turin.
"It's incredible. I'm happy for myself, my teammates, the fans... It's hard to find the right words for the feeling I have right now. I've had a long and great career, but this is something special," said Kolaći emotionally after the match.
The final match began in a rhythm worthy of a European classic. Peruđa and Zavjerće fought an exhausting battle for every point, and neither team managed to break away. On one side, Ben Tara and Oleh Plotnicki excelled, while the Poles were led by captain Mateusz Bienjek and American Aaron Russell.
The Italians were the first to reach the set point through Plotnicki at 24:23, but the Poles did not give up. They saved two set points, even had their chance to take the lead after a spike by Russell at 27:26. However, when it mattered most, the experience and composure of the Italian champion came to the fore. The brilliant Simone Giannelli ended the exhausting set with a cunning point for the final 29:27.
After winning the first set, Perugia seemed to smell blood, and Zavjerće could not get up until the end. Ben Tara ruthlessly crushed his opponent, while Kamil Semenyuk and Roberto Russo kept the rhythm going in both directions. The match was a one-way street until the end.
Perugia thus became only the second Italian club in history to successfully defend the European Championship title, after Trentino.
Last year I watched the final from the bench and it was difficult. Now I was healthy, I could help the team and that's why the feeling is even better. The first set was the key to everything, said Kamil Semenjuk.
On the other side of the net, Zavjerće captain Mateuš Bjenjek sportively acknowledged the superiority of his rivals:
Perugia was unstoppable. Maybe the match would have been different if we had won the first set, maybe not. Still, I'm proud of my team. Two consecutive European finals is a huge achievement.
Experienced Jurij Gladir said that silver still has great value:
Defeats hurt, but the rival was simply better. We have a great season behind us and we are finishing it with our heads held high.
Third place was won by the Turkish Zirat Bank from Ankara, which, after a semi-final defeat to Zavjerce (3:1), settled the score in the silver medal match against another Polish team, Projekt from Warsaw, with a dramatic turnaround in the match (3:2).
F4 dream-tim
Proofreader: Wasim Ben Tara (Perugia)
Technician: Simone Giannelli (Perugia)
Libero: Massimo Colaci (Perugia)
Middle blockers: Mateuš Bjenjek (Zavjerće), Jurij Gladir (Zavjerće)
Receivers: Oleh Plotnicki (Perugia), Tomaš Fornal (Zirat Banka).
Coach: Angelo Lorenzetti (Perugia)
MVP of the final tournament: Massimo Collaci (Perugia)
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