Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA Crowned CEV Volleyball Cup Champions
Recap
Today marked the thrilling conclusion of the CEV Volleyball Cup, with Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA emerging as the new champions. The Italian team secured a dominant 3-0 (30-28, 25-17, 28-26) victory in the second-leg match against CS Volei Alba BLAJ, thus sealing their triumph in style.
Having already won the first-leg match last week by 3-1, Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA needed just two sets in today’s match to claim the title. However, they left no room for doubt, securing a straight-set victory and lifting the trophy with authority.
The opening set was a fierce battle, with both teams pushing each other to the limit. CS Volei Alba BLAJ started strong, determined to overturn their first-leg deficit. Their aggressive play kept them in the lead for a while, but Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA responded with excellent blocking and efficient attacking. As the set reached a dramatic conclusion in extra points, NOVARA's experience and composure shone through, securing a 30-28 win.
With the momentum on their side, Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA entered the second set with confidence. Their defense tightened, limiting Alba BLAJ’s scoring opportunities. The Italian side controlled the set from start to finish, cruising to a 25-17 victory and officially clinching the title.
Despite the overall outcome being decided, Alba BLAJ refused to go down without a fight. They pushed hard in the third set, determined to avoid a straight-set loss in front of their home crowd. The set saw multiple lead changes, with both teams displaying high-level volleyball. However, in another tense finish, Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA maintained their composure, sealing the match with a 28-26 win.
Statistically, Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA showcased their superiority throughout the match, scoring a total of 81 points. They recorded four aces and seven kill blocks, demonstrating both their powerful serve and strong net presence. On the other hand, Alba BLAJ put up a strong fight, scoring 71 points, with three aces and also seven kill blocks, but ultimately fell short against their opponents.
The standout player of the match was Tatiana Tolok, who delivered an outstanding performance with 22 points, a remarkable 68% spike success rate, and one kill block. Her contributions played a key role in Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA’s title-winning effort and earned her the MVP honours.
With this victory, Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA adds another prestigious title to their collection, further solidifying their status as one of Europe’s top volleyball clubs.