On May 22nd, I went to watch and cover the men's and women's finals of the CEV Champions League, a tournament to decide the number one volleyball club in Europe. The event took place in Ljubljana (difficult to read), the capital of Slovenia, on the western edge of the Balkans.
The venue was Slovenia, but there were no Slovenian clubs participating, and even no Slovenian players. Still, it looked like 70-80% of the seats were filled, and the supporters, who must have come from Italy and Poland, were incredibly enthusiastic, creating a great atmosphere in the venue.
This year's final featured the same opponents as last year for both the men's and women's competitions, and attention was focused on whether either would win back-to-back titles or get revenge for last year's loss.
Women's Final
Results
Vakıfbank (Türkiye) 3 (25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21) 1 Conegliano (Italy)
Vakfbank defeated Conegliano to win their fifth title in four years, successfully avenging last season's victory.
Starting members
Vakıfbank: S Ozbay (Turkey), OH Birch-Hackley (USA), MB Güneş (Turkey), OP Haak (Sweden), OH Gabi (Brazil), MB Ogbogu (USA), L Aykaç (Turkey)
Conegliano: OP Egonu (Italy), OH Silla (Italy), MB De Kruijn (Netherlands), S Wołosz (Poland), OH Plummer (USA), MB Follie (Italy), L De Gennaro (Italy)
Match Report
Set 1
OPHarkVakfubank made a good start by scoring a number of points (3-0). However, Conegliano also scored OP.EgonThe ball was collected and the opponent turned the game around (5-7), and from there, both OPs started to exchange shots. Conegliano was slightly ahead at the end of the set (20-21), but the substituteChenaultVakıfbank induced a mistake from Turkey's serve and managed to turn the game around (22-21).
After that, ConeglianoEgon, and O.H.PlummerBut he missed his spikes in succession, and Wakfubank suddenly got the set point (24-22).GabiWith a sharp spike from , Wakfubank took the first set (25-22).
Set 2
The match started with Wakfubank in the lead (5-3). The first set was the same as the first set.EgonConegliano was collecting the ball, while S was defending well.OzbyOHGabiPipes and MBGunesWith effective attacks from the middle, such as quick kicks from the left, Wakfubank extended their lead to six points at one point (13-7).
Then the OPEgonWith a service ace, the team temporarily tied the score (17-17), butHarkBut he made the important move and prevented Conegliano from taking the lead (20-17).EgonDue to a serve error, Wakfubank took this set as well (25-21).
Third set
Conegliano, who had no choice but to show his determination, maintained a slight lead from the beginning of the match (5-7). Conegliano is SWołoshOHPlummerOHScillaOP etc.EgonThe number of tosses to players other than the OP increased, and the attackers responded to this.HarkAfter a service ace from , they successfully turned the game around and continued their momentum, extending their lead to four points (15-11).
Then OHGabiWakfubank continued to side out with pipe attacks and other attacks, and took the lead in the match (17-15), but in the final stages they were faced with a difficult high set.EgonAfter scoring a goal to tie the score (20-20), Conegliano took the lead and turned the game around (20-21).EgonWith this, Conegliano took back the set (23-25).
Fourth set
With the same momentum as the third set, this set was also OP.EgonConegliano took a 5-point lead from the beginning with two consecutive service aces (3-8). However, after a long rally, he was OH.GabiBut when he made a sharp pipe attack, Conegliano made another series of spike errors, narrowing the gap (9-8). Then, in the middle of the game, Wakfubank made another spike error at a crucial moment and took the lead (14-13).
After that, Conegliano became the aceEgonWe tried to counterattack by handing the ball to the opposing team, but the strong defense led to an OH.Gabiand M.B.GunesWakfubank continued to score and extended their lead (23-18). The last was OH, who was in top form that day.GabiHe scored a sharp spike to end the game (25-21).
The MVP was Gabi Guimaraes (Wakfubank).
Interview
Gabi Guimaraes (Waqfbank/Brazil)
--How do you feel looking back on today's game?
It was a very tough game. But this season, we have been saying that we need to improve every play and play as one team to help each other. In one situation, one player will play well, and in another situation, another player will play well.
When we play like that as a team, we believe that no one can stop us. Today we did that, so Conegliano had to pay attention to all of us. This is the best thing about playing together like a family. Of course, it's not easy.
Congratulations also to Conegliano. We won 3-1, but they kept putting us under pressure and always believed they could come back, so we struggled mentally. We couldn't relax even at the end of the fourth set, 24-20.
However, as a result of playing such a game, I think the team has grown mentally. This is a big growth. If we had the mental strength we had today, we would have been able to overcome the tough situations in the past more easily. Looking back on this season, our strength today was truly the strength of the team.
--I think Gabi's individual performance today was also very good..
Yes. But as I said before, Isabela (Hake) and Zefra (Gunes) did well at times. Zebra was especially good from start to finish, and gave the team the energy to come back even when we were behind.
I'm very happy to be able to help this team, but without them I couldn't do anything. I'm very proud of this team because I don't think I could have done anything for Conegliano alone. I also want to thank all the staff, because the season has been very difficult but their support has been incredible.
--I'm sure you have a lot of fans in Japan. Can you give a message to your Japanese fans?
Of course! I love Japan because whenever I go to Japan for a match, I receive great support and the people here are so warmly welcoming. I would like to thank all the fans who follow me and Wakfubank. I hope you will continue to support us next season.
Katherine Plummer (Conegliano/USA, formerly with DENSO)
-What do you think was the reason for WakfBank's success?
They showed great coordination in blocking and defense, and were able to get points from the opponents when we wanted to score. They also had good serves, so they kept putting pressure on us.
How do you feel about today's loss?
I'm disappointed, but I'll come back stronger next year.
-What do you think about the supporters who came all the way to Ljubljana?
The Imocco (Conegliano) fans are amazing. They came all the way here because it's only a two and a half hour drive from Conegliano. But I'm sorry that we couldn't win the game and disappoint them.
-Can you give a message to your Japanese fans?
Hello! I really enjoyed my time in Japan. Although it was difficult due to COVID, I had a great time at DENSO. The team was great and I received a lot of support. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Thoughts etc.
Before the match, a battle between the strongest opposites in modern women's volleyball, VakfBank's Haque and Conegliano's Egon, was predicted, and that was certainly the case in the early stages, but VakfBank managed to escape the opposite showdown by actively supplying the ball to Kabi, and ultimately took the victory.
Conegliano also tried to score points elsewhere, but in the end he couldn't break away from his double-suicide style with Egonu. Egonu is certainly great, but he made a lot of mistakes and was lackluster on this day.
In comparison, Gabi was quiet in the first set, but from the second set onwards she put in a spectacular performance. At 180cm tall, she is on the short side in the women's volleyball world, but her outstanding jumping power made her height seem smaller than her published maximum height (305cm).
Both the left and the pipe were so cool it was electrifying...
But she was really cute during the interview (laughs).
The two opposites who played against each other this time will be transferring to each other's teams next season. The final match of next season may be the same card.
English 
Japanese