PIACENZA through to #CEVCupM Final after win over LJUBLJANA

Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA booked their place in the #CEVCupM final with a composed 3-1 victory over ACH Volley LJUBLJANA. In a high-intensity second-leg clash at Športna Dvorana Tivoli, the Italian side held their nerve in the decisive moments, overcoming a resilient Ljubljana team led by Tonček Štern. Backed by a standout performance from Alessandro Bovolenta, PIACENZA showed greater precision when it mattered most to seal their ticket to the final, where they will face SVG LÜNEBURG.

ACH Volley LJUBLJANA (SLO) vs Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA (ITA) 1-3 (19-25, 22-25, 25-13, 22-25)

With the result of the first leg leaving the tie wide open - Piacenza having edged a tie-break win at home - the race for a place in the CEV Cup final remained finely balanced. The Italian side needed a victory to secure qualification. At Športna Dvorana Tivoli, however, ACH Ljubljana made the better start. A strong spike from Tonček Štern opened the match, and the hosts quickly moved ahead 6-3. Rally by rally, Piacenza found their rhythm. Powered by Alessandro Bovolenta (6 points) and José Gutiérrez (3), they not only levelled at 9-9 but also began to take control, turning 13-13 into a 17-13 lead with Gutiérrez on the service line. ACH tried to fight back, but an ace from Paolo Porro at 20-16 kept Piacenza firmly in charge. The visitors maintained their advantage and eventually closed the set 25-19 after a missed serve from Štern (5 points).

ACH Ljubljana once again made the stronger start, taking an early 6-4 lead. Captain Tine Urnaut led the hosts (4 points in the set), but their advantage was far from secure, as Piacenza kept the pressure on and stayed within reach. Even after a spike from Alen Pajenk (3 points) gave ACH a 15-13 lead, the visitors responded immediately. Piacenza turned the set around with three consecutive points to move ahead 16-15, powered by Ramazan Mandiraci, who stepped up with an impressive 8 points in the set. He was well supported by Robertlandy Simón, who was flawless in attack (4 kills at 100%). In the decisive phase, Mandiraci’s spike pushed Piacenza to 23–20, and shortly after they earned a series of set points. The set was eventually sealed at 25-22 after the ball touched the ceiling on ACH’s side.

With their backs against the wall, ACH Ljubljana delivered a flawless response. A service run from Luka Marovt, including an ace, gave the hosts an early 3-0 lead. From that moment on, sparked by the home crowd, ACH took full control of the set. Tonček Štern (6 points), Alen Pajenk (6) and Marovt (5) led the charge, proving unstoppable in attack and steadily extending the advantage (13-6, 21-11). Despite changes to their line-up, Piacenza struggled to respond, while Gregor Ropret orchestrated the game with ease, as ACH recorded an impressive 74% success rate in attack. Pajenk also made a strong impact at the net, adding 3 blocks. Marovt eventually sealed the dominant set with another ace for 25-13.

Piacenza returned to the court with renewed energy, taking an early lead and holding it at 10-7. ACH Ljubljana - led by Tonček Štern (9 points) - responded with a strong run, as his spike followed by two aces levelled the score at 10–10. That did not discourage Piacenza, who continued to impress in block and regained the lead at 13-11. Despite constantly chasing the score, Ljubljana refused to give up, producing several strong plays but struggling to build momentum. Tine Urnaut helped reduce the gap to 16-15, yet Piacenza answered immediately. An ace from Alessandro Bovolenta (9 points), followed by his powerful spike, pushed the visitors to 20-17, and Robertlandy Simón extended the lead further with another ace (22–18), bringing Piacenza closer to victory. Ljubljana made one last push with Alen Pajenk on the service line (22-21), but Piacenza held firm. A huge block from Ramazan Mandiraci on Štern, followed by a spike from Bovolenta, earned them match points at 24-22. The first opportunity was enough, as Piacenza sealed the set and booked their place in the #CEVCupM final.

The MVP award went to Alessandro Bovolenta, who scored 20 points, including 19 kills at 61% success and one ace. He was followed by Robertlandy Simon (4 blocks) and Ramazan Mandiraci, who both tallied 12 points. For ACH, Tonček Štern was the match’s top scorer with 23 points (2 aces, 2 blocks, 19 kills at 61%).