Lüneburg beat Maaseik to move closer to #CEVCupM Final

SVG LÜNEBURG continue their impressive campaign in the CEV Volleyball Cup 2026 | Men, taking a major step toward the final with a 3-1 away victory over Greenyard MAASEIK at Steengoed Arena. Although the hosts took the opening set in convincing fashion, Lüneburg - led by Daniel Gruvaeus and Axel Lund - mounted an excellent comeback, winning the following sets and dominating in all elements of the game.

Semifinals | Greenyard MAASEIK (BEL) vs. SVG LÜNEBURG (GER) 1-3 (25-15, 20-25, 22-25, 24-26)

Although SVG Lüneburg started the set with a slight advantage (6–4), Greenyard Maaseik quickly found their rhythm and took control of the game, moving ahead 13-10. Both teams showed solid work in block (6 killing blocks for Maaseik vs 5 for  Lüneburg) and produced several good rallies, but it was the hosts who maintained the lead, powered by Antti Ronkainen (5 points) and Pierre Perin (4). After Perin’s spike, Maaseik extended their advantage to 18-13. In the decisive phase, Sil Meijs (5 points) also made his mark as one of Maaseik’s key players, and it was his attack that sealed the set 25-15.

The second set featured several momentum swings. After a tight start, Maaseik were the first to build a slight advantage at 11-8, but the efforts of Pierre Perin and Sil Meijs were quickly neutralised as Lüneburg levelled the score at 14-14. Axel Lund, who entered the court in this set, became the key figure, scoring 7 points (67% success in attack) and helping Lüneburg pull away to 20-17. Keeping that momentum, the visitors maintained control, and an attack from Ethan Champlin (4 kills - 100%) sealed the set 25-20.

The third set brought even more drama. Maaseik struggled on the service line early on and had to chase the score, while Lüneburg built a 10-6 lead. Perin tried to spark a comeback (7 points in the set), but Lüneburg responded strongly, extending their advantage to 15-9 with Ethan Champlin and Daniel Gruvaeus (both 5 points) leading the way. Maaseik, powered by Perin and Meijs (4 points), refused to give up and reduced the gap to 19-17. A late push, highlighted by an ace from Périn at 22-19, was not enough to turn the set around. In the end, a decisive attack from Jackson Howe sealed the set 25-22 for Lüneburg.

Sparked by the home crowd and powerful attacks from Sil Meijs (7 kills in the set), Maaseik took an early 7-4 lead. However, the advantage proved fragile, as Lüneburg - led by Daniel Gruvaeus (8 kills at 80%) - quickly reduced the gap to 9-8 and levelled at 11-11. From that moment on, the set turned into a tight point-by-point battle. A block from Jackson Howe on Perin gave the visitors a 20-17 lead, but Maaseik refused to surrender. With strong plays from Perin (5 points), the hosts fought back to level the score at 22-22. Although Maaseik saved the first match point, Lüneburg eventually sealed both the set and the match 26-24.

Daniel Gruvaeus led Lüneburg’s scoring with 19 points, including 16 kills at 46%, 3 blocks and 72% positive reception. He was followed by Ethan Champlin with 16 points and Axel Lund with 13. For Maaseik, Sil Meijs and Pierre Perin both recorded 19 points.

The decisive return match will take place on Thursday, April 2, with Lüneburg holding a strong advantage - needing just two sets to progress to the #CEVCupM final.