NARBONNE Volley crowned #CEVChallengeCupM champions

NARBONNE Volley are the newly crowned #CEVChallengeCupM champions, after emerging victorious from a Golden Set (21-19) in the Big Finale of this year’s edition of the competition. After three hours of play and a very hard-fought match, the players around head coach Guillermo Falasca were able to make happy more than 3.600 fans at the Narbonne Arena, taking the gold.

Entering the title-deciding match after a 0-3 loss from the home match, the French showed great determination and motivation, winning at 3-1 the fixture, and then seizing on their fifth golden setpoint. Halkbank, on the other hand, struggled in the important moments, and although they’ve were giving it constantly a try, they couldn’t reach their full potential. This way, the Turkish miss a chance to claim the title for yet another season, after finishing third in 2021.

On Wednesday, Narbonne proved better on all counts, besides the direct points from a serve (seven to four aces for Halkbank. To Rafael Rodrigues de Araujo’s credit, he scored all four aces for Narbonne, each one of them in a deciding moment, making it difficult for Halkbank’s reception). In attacking and on blocking, the French controlled the game completely (finishing with as many as 70 winning spikes and 17 kill blocks to 53 attacks and 11 blocks by their opponents respectively).

Narbonne’s setter, Nicolas Uriarte was named MVP of the game, while his teammate Remi Bassereau topped the charts with 26 points to his name. For Halkbank, Nicolas Bruno was the best with 18 points.

- The hosts started on the right foot in the match, and thanks to some sharp attacks, took a lead 10-8. The Turkish tried to keep up with the rhythm of their opponents up until the last minutes of the set (22-22), but it was the French who opened in their favour, mainly thanks to a better performance on the attack (as many as 15 winning spikes). On the other hand, Halkbank dominated on the serve (three aces), but this was not enough. Remi Bassereau with 6pts. topped the charts in these moments, while for the guests Fernando Hernandez Ramos was the best with 5. 

- It was a close call throughout the whole second set, but Halkbank managed to tie the set score, seizing all their opportunities in the deciding moments. The hosts seemed to have lost a bit of concentration, allowing more own errors to affect the score (8). As many as four kill blocks and one ace turned out to be crucial for the guests in this part.

- Both sides kept fighting with all their determination in the third set as well. Narbonne would take the lead various times (13-10, 16-13), but Taner Atik taking a time out at the right time, helped his team to start breathing down Narbonne’s necks (18-18, 23-22). However, the French showed nerves of steel, and even though Halkbank saved a setpoint, Narbonne took the set lead.

- Inspired, the hosts stormed to a 5-0 lead in the beginning of the fourth set, and establishing their rhythm of play, they were able to win the match and bring it to a Golden Set.

- In this deciding, nail-biting last set, Narbonne started better, but then the teams went head-to-head. Halkbank had their chances (2 setpoints), but Narbonne showed greater resistance, and claimed the trophy, scoring their fifth setpoint.