Perugia create history by winning back-to-back titles at the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship
Review
Sir Safety Conad Perugia became the third team in history and the second in the past seven years to retain their trophy at the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship, after clinching the competition in back-to-back editions, without dropping a set in the four matches they played in this edition.
After dominating wins in the pool phase against Itambé Minas and Ahmedabad Defenders, Perugia had a crunch clash with the other European team in the semi-finals, Turkish side Halkbank Spor Kulübü, but they only had issues in the third set, as they sealed a three-match winning streak to reach the final.
Outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk had 15 points, while opposite Jaime Jesus Herrera added 13 more points, with the Italian side dominating Halkbank, where none of the players even hit double digits in terms of points scored.
Perugia dominated the first two sets clearly, 25:14 and 25:16, while Halkbank did everything they could in the third set, only to concede a 31:29 loss, which meant their challenge for the trophy was derailed.
In the other semi-final, Brazilian side Itambé Minas delivered a roller-coaster win against Japanese debutants Suntory Sunbirds, after the match went into the fifth set, where Minas took a 17:15 win, celebrating their maiden final berth in the history of the competition.
There was no question about Perugia’s performance and securing their second title in as many editions of the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship in the final, where they met Itambé Minas for the second time in four days, after they had previously taken a clear 3:0 win in the pool phase.
Oleh Plotnytskyi"I thought we played very well and all of our players were able to find a good rhythm this week. In the final, we had a difficult moment in the second set, but we overcame it together. We're excited to be bringing the trophy back to Perugia."
Perugia, outside hitter
Backed by another fantastic outing from Semeniuk, who had 14 points, complemented by another 13 points from Oleh Plotnytskyi, Perugia cruised to another 3:0 win, thanks to better serving and a better all-around match.
Perugia had little issues in the match, taking the first set 25:13, keeping the pedal to the metal until the end, by taking the other two sets, 25:21 and 25:19, on their way to become the third team in history to retain their title, after fellow Italian side Trentino ITAS and Sada Cruzeiro Volei.
This is also the 12th time the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship title goes to Italy in 18 editions, with Trentino still being the most decorated team, with five titles, while Gonzaga Milano and now Perugia have won the trophy twice and Parma, Porto Ravenna and Lube Civitanova once.
The two finalists also delivered the core of the FIVB Club World Championship Dream Team, with each sending three players to the ideal line-up – Perugia had MVP Oleh Plotnytskyi at outside hitter, Simone Giannelli at setter and Sebastian Solé at middle blocker, while Minas had Marcus Vinícius at outside hitter, Renan Michelucci at middle blocker and Maique Nascimento at libero. Sunbirds’ opposite Dmitriy Musersiky completed the selection.
Musersiky also guided the Japanese team to the bronze medal, after a majestic comeback against Halkbank Spor Kulübü. Down two sets (17:25; 23:25), Sunbirds bounced back and sealed the next three sets, 25:21, 25:19 and 15:12, to become the first-ever Japanese side on the podium of the competition.