Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA storm to straight-sets victory in first-leg showdown of #CEVCupM Final
News
Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA took a major step towards lifting the CEV Volleyball Cup 2026 | Men trophy on Wednesday evening, as they claimed a convincing 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16) away win over SVG LÜNEBURG at the LKH Arena in Lüneburg. With the return leg scheduled in seven days at their home venue, PalabancaSport in Piacenza, the Italian side will enter as clear favourites.
SVG LÜNEBURG (GER) vs Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA (ITA) 0-3 (24-26, 22-25, 16-25)
Both teams entered the contest aiming to secure their first-ever #CEVCupM title. SVG LÜNEBURG were contesting the final for only the second time in club history, having previously finished runners-up in 2024 after losing to Poland’s Asseco Resovia RZESZÓW. Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA, meanwhile, are making just their second appearance in the competition, following last year’s fourth-place finish in the domestic league. Back in 2023, they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Belgium’s Knack Roeselare after a dramatic Golden Set (15-12).
Backed by a packed LKH Arena and a spectacular pre-match atmosphere, the home side made a strong start, racing to a 5-1 lead, with Axel Enlund quickly emerging as a key attacking threat. Daniel Gruvaeus added an ace, forcing Piacenza head coach Dante Boninfante to call an early timeout. However, the visitors gradually found their rhythm, with Jose Miguel Gutierrez and Gianluca Galassi helping to close the gap.
Lüneburg maintained control for much of the set, extending their lead to 14-9, but Piacenza responded with a strong serving run from Robertlandy Simon to reduce the deficit to 14-13. The Italian side eventually levelled at 16-16 before a tense and closely contested finish unfolded. After saving set point and capitalising on key errors from the hosts, Piacenza sealed the opener 26-24 with a decisive block.
Alessandro Bovolenta led Piacenza in the first set with eight points, while Gruvaeus and Enlund scored four apiece for Lüneburg.
The second set followed a similar pattern. After an even start, Lüneburg again built a solid advantage, leading 14-9 and later 17-10. However, just like in the opening set, Piacenza mounted an impressive comeback, levelling at 19-19 before taking control in the closing stages. Paolo Porro played a crucial role, contributing with key blocks and smart plays, while Gutierrez converted the set point for 25-22 and a 2-0 lead overall.
Bovolenta and Gutierrez each scored five points in the second set, with Piacenza’s blocking (five blocks) proving decisive. For Lüneburg, Ethan Champlin added five points, while Gruvaeus and Enlund contributed four each.
In the third set, Piacenza quickly took control, turning a 3-3 scoreline into a 6-3 lead and never looking back. Despite strong support from the home crowd, Lüneburg struggled to maintain the intensity shown earlier in the match. The Italian side dominated all aspects of play, extending their lead to 16-10 and later 22-15, before comfortably closing the set 25-16 to complete a straight-sets victory.
Bovolenta finished as the match top scorer with 17 points, while Gutierrez added 11 and Ramazan Efe Mandiraci contributed 10 for Piacenza. For Lüneburg, Gruvaeus led the scoring with 11 points.
Piacenza setter Paolo Porro was named MVP of the match, tallying five points, including two aces and one block.
Paolo Porro“An outstanding, incredible match in a fantastic atmosphere. I’m very happy with the win, especially considering the level shown by Lüneburg. However, this is only the first step. We still have the return leg in front of our home fans, and of course, we are aiming for another victory and the trophy.”
MVP of the match
Stefan Hübner“We have young, very talented players who feel: ‘I can play at this level’. Now it’s about doing that consistently. If this helps them raise their own standards – if they want to play in a league like this and represent the national team internationally – then that’s what has to happen. You can’t take a single step backwards; you have to go out and get it. You can’t afford to lose focus for even a moment. Understanding that is the hardest step. But that’s what makes it exciting.“
Head coach, SVG Lüneburg
Dante Boninfante“We knew already before that this will be a tough, very hard game, because they are a very good team. And here it’s amazing, the Arena, the amazing fans - congrats to the town of Lüneburg! They started very good in the match, we suffered, especially with our sideout. After good services and some blocks we came back. In the third I think they gave up a little."
Head coach Piacenza
Santeri Välimaa“It’s a lesson for us. A lesson of high level volleyball. We surely can play here, that was established today. But we didn’t it the whole game - that’s the lesson we got to take. We have to do it however many sets it takes to win a game like that. They made good plays, we didn’t execute - that’s the thing that hurts. In both sets we did have chances, we just weren’t able to make that final play, the final push.”
Setter SVG Lüneburg
Robertlandy Simon“They made it difficult for some moments in the game. A lot of time we started the sets really bad. Sometimes we recovered a little bit and continued to fight, never gave up and continued to play. This gym is really good, the atmosphere is really beautiful, especially for me as I never in my life have come here to Lüneburg. I love when the people are like this. ”
Middle Blocker, Piacenza
Sho Takahashi“I feel like we were breaking out our sets. We could have won, it was such a close game, especially in second set. They were so good all the time, from the beginning to the end. We had a great beginning, but we have to keep going, keep focussed until the end. They are especially good after the 20th point, they never had a stupid mistake. They kept the ball, tried to get the weak point from us. We have to handle these things, especially when we fight a against a stronger team. This is a good lesson for us.”
Libero, SVG Lüneburg