Hypo Tirol claim first Austrian league title since 2017 to cap perfect season
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On Saturday night, Hypo Tirol INNSBRUCK crowned themselves Austrian men’s national champions for the first time since 2017. They did so by claiming a fourth victory in the best-of-seven championship series with SK Zadruga AICH/DOB in front of 1,200 raucous fans at the USI Halle in Innsbruck. Following their 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-21, 25-13) victory, the series ended 4-1 in favour of Hypo Tirol. This triumph caps a truly memorable season for Hypo Tirol, who back in February had won the national cup as well and suffered only two setbacks throughout their whole 2022-2023 campaign, never losing a single fixture on home soil.
Niklas Kronthaler“Today was a truly successful volleyball evening here at the USI Halle. For me personally, this championship title is probably the most beautiful. In the previous ones, I was young and acted more as a joker, whereas I have been a leader this season, so this title means a lot to me. We got the double, now we are going to celebrate a bit.”
Outside hitter of Hypo Tirol INNSBRUCK
AICH/DOB were no longer coached by Zoran Kedacic on Saturday, but by sports director Martin Micheu. The visitors tried everything to extend the final series and bring it back to Bleiburg. However, Hypo Tirol once again proved to be too strong. The team of successful coach Stefan Chrtiansky also put away the loss of the second set, was able to make up for a 14-17 deficit in the third and made it 2-1. In the fourth set, AICH/DOB had nothing more to oppose. After 107 minutes, Hypo Tirol converted the third match point and secured their eleventh championship title, and the first since 2017. Hypo Tirol’s opposite hitter Luan Weber, who was able to make his mark on the final series, was honoured as the best player of this year’s Austrian national league. The Brazilian was the top scorer again on Saturday with 22 points.
Stefan Chrtiansky“Before the season we were not quite convinced that we could do it. But as early as December and then when we won the cup, you could see that there was a lot of quality and the right approach in the team. I told myself that maybe we could lose a final game, but I knew that AICH/DOB would not beat us four times. If we manage to keep the team together, I am optimistic for the coming season - also for the Champions League qualifiers.”
Head coach of Hypo Tirol INNSBRUCK
Hannes Kronthaler, General Manager of Hypo Tirol: “I said we would like to win a championship title again for Tyrol. Now we even managed the double – a perfect season. Coach and team gave me everything back. It was a worthy final series, and we did what we promised, bringing the championship title back to Tyrol. I am very much assuming that we will play the Champions League next season. My goal is to play those games in the Olympic Hall. It is a wonderful location.”