The UEFA Champions League Women's Final and the third place match were held in Istanbul (Turkey) on Sunday, May 4th local time, with Conegliano (Italy), where Seki Nanami plays, winning the championship, and Milano (Italy), where Fukudome Satomi plays, coming in third.
The two teams faced off in the semi-finals on the previous day, the 3rd (Sat). With OH Schumacher and OP Haak each scoring over 20 points, Conegliano won 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23) against Milano. S Seki came on as a substitute in the second and fourth sets, while L Fukudome was in the starting lineup. This was the ninth time the two teams have faced each other this season, and all of the matches ended with Conegliano victories.
Then, on the 4th (Sunday), the third place match was between Milan and Vakıfbank Istanbul (Turkey). At the beginning of the first set, Vakıfbank took the lead with OH Markova's spikes, but Milan, with their high attack success rate, serve and block, led by OP Egon, overwhelmed the local team with a score of 25-15. In the second set, OP Egon's success rate dropped, but Milan's dominance remained the same and they won with a score of 25-19.
Milan was in the lead until the middle of the third set, but OP Zebecioglu and others made a comeback after that, and finally, with the help of some mistakes from Milan, Vakfbank took the set back 23-25. The fourth set was a close match until the middle, but Milan broke the lead in the final stages with four consecutive breaks from spikes by OP Egonu and OH Cazout off S Ollo's serve, and finally OP Egonu scored a spike to win the set 25-18. As a result, Milan won 3-1 against Vakfbank and won the bronze medal.
L Fukudome also played in the starting lineup for this match. The other libero, Gelin, who had been competing for the starting position during the season, was registered as a regular player, so there may have been pressure as there was no replacement, but he showed stable play, focusing on his specialty, digging. Although the opponents were able to avoid his serve reception and he received few passes, he was stable with a success rate of 44% (no points lost). "Dyson Fukudome" was still alive and well in Istanbul.
The final was an Italian showdown between Conegliano and Scandicci. The match was dominated by Conegliano from start to finish.
In the first set, OP Haak scored 9 points in this set alone. Scandicci's OP Antropova also fought well with 7 points, but Conegliano took the lead with 25-16, thanks to 5 blocks (2 of which were by MB Farr). In the second set, Conegliano showed incredible offensive power with a team attack effectiveness rate of 66%, centered around OH Gabi and OH Shu. Scandicci tried to hang on with OH Radins' attacks, but Conegliano won the set 25-21.
In the third set, Conegliano made some attacking mistakes and OP Antropova had a service ace, so the match was close until the middle. However, OH Gabi and OH Shu's spikes increased the lead, and OP Haak's service ace gave Conegliano a match point. In the end, MB Chiricella blocked OP Antropova's spike, and Conegliano won the set 25-19, winning 3-0 against Scandicci. Conegliano won the European Championship for the third time in two years.
Seki played as a relief server in the final stages of the third set only. Unfortunately, he was unable to break through, but he took to the court on the highest stage in European volleyball, following the semi-finals.
Conegliano has now won five titles this season (Supercoppa, Coppa Italia, Italian League, World Club Championship, and European Champions League). This season, they finished with an overwhelming record of 53 wins and 1 loss (1 loss to Novara, where Mayu Ishikawa plays) in 54 matches, winning every competition they participated in.
Last year, Conegliano won four titles without participating in the World Club Championships, and since last year she has reigned as the absolute queen of women's volleyball. Perhaps the current Conegliano is stronger than any national team. Most of the main members will remain next season, so the Conegliano era will likely continue for a while. However, there are rumors that Seki will transfer to another team in Italy, and next season she will likely face her former queen as the regular setter.
UEFA Champions League Women's 2025 final standings and individual awards
Winner: Conegliano (Italy)
Runner-up: Scandicci (Italy)
3. Milan (Italy)
4th place: Vakifbank Istanbul (Turkey)
MVP: Isabella Haack (Conegliano)
Best Opposite: Paola Egonu (Milan)
Best setter: Alessia Orro (Milan)
Best Libero: Monica De Gennaro (Conegliano)
Best Middle Blocker 1: Marina Rubian (Conegliano)
Best Middle Blocker 2: Jena Kurtagic (Milan)
Best Outside Hitter 1: Gabi Guimaraes (Conegliano)
Best Outside Hitter 2: Zhu Ting (Conegliano)
Best Head Coach: Giovanni Guidetti
Photo: CEV
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