Allianz MILANO crown perfect campaign with #CEVChallengeCupM triumph
There were two celebrations in Milano on Wednesday night, and both felt just as loud.
The first came quietly, almost inevitably, when Allianz MILANO secured the two sets they needed to mathematically claim the #CEVChallengeCupM title. The second? That was the real one. The final whistle, the 3–0 victory, the moment it was truly done and dusted, and Allianz Cloud erupted.
In front of 4,522 fans, the Italian side completed their mission in style, defeating Lindemans AALST in straight sets to lift the trophy and seal the second European title in club history.
Finals | Allianz MILANO (ITA) vs Lindemans AALST (BEL) 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-18)
From the very first rally, Milano looked like a team that knew exactly how the night would end. Sharp, aggressive, and composed, they wasted no time imposing their rhythm. Ferre Reggers led the charge once again, finding solutions from all angles as the hosts stormed through the opening set 25-16, leaving Aalst chasing shadows.
The second set carried even more weight, not just within the match, but for the trophy itself. Aalst tried to resist, showing glimpses of the fight that had brought them to their first-ever European final. But Milano never let the moment slip. With Tatsunori Otsuka and Nemanja Masulović stepping in alongside Reggers, the Italian side maintained control and closed the set 25-19.
That was the moment it became official.
Two sets secured. Trophy won.
Yet, Milano were not done.
With the title already theirs, the hosts played freely in the third set, confident, energised, and determined to finish the job properly. Aalst kept pushing, but the gap in efficiency remained. Reggers continued to dominate, while the supporting cast delivered with precision. A final 25-18 sealed not just the match, but a flawless ending to their European journey.
MVP, unsurprisingly, went to Ferre Reggers, who delivered 18 points, including four aces and 13 winning spikes, once again leading Milano from the front. In a fitting moment, he received his award from Italian volleyball legend Matteo Piano, adding an extra touch of prestige to an already memorable night.
He was backed by Otsuka (10 points), Masulović (9), and Ichino (9) in a well-balanced team performance. For Aalst, Nuno Marques led with eight points, while Camden Gianni impressed in reception with a 47% perfect rate.
For Lindemans AALST, the night marked the end of a historic run, their first appearance in a European final, but also a valuable step forward for the Belgian side on the continental stage.
For Allianz MILANO, however, it was all about finishing what they started.
Two matches. Two wins. No doubts.
And in the end, two celebrations, the first for the title, the second for the statement.