VKP BRATISLAVA secure historic double triumph at Slovak Cup Finals
News
It truly was a night to remember for VKP BRATISLAVA since this past Saturday the club from Slovakia’s capital city did further etch their name into the history of the sport at the Niké Super Final held in Žilina. For the first time ever, teams from the same club claimed both the men’s and women’s Slovak Cup titles in the same year – on the same day – an achievement that further cements VKP’s dominance in domestic competitions. The men’s squad edged past Spartak MYJAVA in four sets, thereby securing their tenth Slovak Cup title. Meanwhile, the VKP women’s team made quick work of hosts SK ZU ŽILINA, sweeping them aside in straight sets to clinch their second cup trophy, following their previous triumph in 2023.
Zaťko’s leadership and Kriško’s experience seal the men’s win
Led by captain and former Slovak international Juraj Zaťko, the VKP men successfully defended their title after last year’s 3-1 triumph over Rieker UJS KOMÁRNO. However, the road to glory was anything but easy. “Defending the title was even tougher this time,” admitted Zaťko. “We were up 2-0, but in Volleyball, no lead is ever safe. Spartak MYJAVA fought back, took the third set, and started strong in the fourth. Luckily, our experienced outside hitter Tomáš Kriško stepped up in the crucial moments. He proved why he is such a key player for us.”
VKP women cruise to dominant victory
Unlike the men’s final, the women’s showdown was a one-sided affair. VKP took control from the first serve, never allowing ŽILINA to gain momentum. In a commanding performance by their rivals, the locals failed to reach 20 points in any set. “We stayed fully focused from start to finish,” said head coach Pavel Bernáth. “We prepared for multiple scenarios, but this was the ideal outcome for us. We are absolutely thrilled.”
The legacy of the Slovak Cup
Established in 1993 after the breakup of the former Czechoslovakia, the Slovak Cup has become a prestigious battleground for the country’s top teams. Since 2020, the trophy has been named in honour of Štefan Pipa, thus recognising his unparalleled contribution to Slovak Volleyball. With their historic double, VKP BRATISLAVA has sent a powerful message to the rest of the league - this is their era, and they have no intention of slowing down.
Pictures courtesy of the Slovak Volleyball Federation (SVF)