Valsa Group MODENA lifted the trophy at this year’s edition of the CEV Volleyball Cup Men, showing a great fighting spirit in the away match of the Big Finale against Knack Roeselare. 

After losing in three sets a week earlier on home soil, the players of head coach Andrea Giani, approached the second and title-deciding game with the right mentality, winning this time around in straight sets themselves.

With both teams having exchanges 3-0 wins, it was all decided in a Golden Set, won by the Italian side at 15-9. 

The fans of the Belgian team, who had come to the Tomabell Hall at Schiervele, had high hopes to see their favourites with the Gold medals, as the Roeselare squad showed full dominance in their away game on March 29. 

The first set turned out to be a point-for-point race in the last moments, with the home team missing two chances to close in ther favour (24-23 and 25-24). Valsa Group MODENA didn’t break, and on the contrary, their seized their first opportunity to open in their favour  (25-27).

Adis Lagumdzija of Modena put a lot of pressure on Knack’s reception thanks to a strong performance on the serve in the second set (three consecutive aces for him in this part). However, the home side did not give up, but Earving N’Gapeth had no mercy, closing at 25-22. 

Knack were leading in the beginning of the third set with a small point difference, but the guests found their opponents’ weak spot after 17-17, and closed the set and the game at 25-23. 

The team of Valsa Group Modena handled better the pressure in the Golden Set and congratulated themselves with the victory. 

Lagumdzija finished as Best scorer of the match with 23 (+ 2) points. For the home team, Pablo Kukartsev scored 19 (+ 2) points.

Modena outperformed their opponents on attack (54 to 41 winning spikes), and recorded two more aces (eight to six). The home squad finished with one more block - nine to eight.