🏐 Historic feat! Bogdanka LUK Lublin is one step away from its first European trophy! 🏆🔥
Bogdanka LUK Lublin is on the verge of a huge achievement! The Polish team, making its debut in European club tournaments this season, defeated Cucine Lube Civitanova 3:1 in the first final match of the Challenge Cup. In front of a packed "Globus" hall, Lublin's volleyball players showed character, and the match turned into a true spectacle.
Now the team is just two won sets away from historic gold in the return match on March 19 in Italy. If successful, they will follow the example of PGE Projekt Warszawa, which triumphed in this tournament last year.
Bulgarian presence in the final
In the match, we saw two Bulgarians and national team teammates on both sides of the net. The captain of our national team and middle blocker for Bogdanka LUK, Alex Grozdanov, finished the match with 6 points (2 blocks), while Alex Nikolov from Lube did not start as a starter but came in at the end of the first set and stayed until the end. The outside hitter scored 12 points (1 ace, 1 block), being one of the two most effective players for the Italian team, along with Mattia Bottolo, who also finished with 12 points.
The power of the serve decided the match
From the very beginning, the hosts demonstrated their power in this element. The hero of the evening – Wilfredo Leon, scored 6!of a total of 13 aces for Bogdanka LUK! He finished with a phenomenal 22 points (6 aces, 1 block) and deservedly won the MVP award. The Poles took the lead in the first set, going up 15:11, thanks to powerful serves from Leon and Finnian McCarthy. Despite Lube's attempts to get back in the game, Lublin held the lead and closed the set with 25:20.
Turnaround in the second set and Bogdanka LUK's reaction
The guests from Civitanova, now with Alex Nikolov on the court, played much better. The Italians took an 11:8 lead after strengthening their serve and making it difficult for the Poles to attack. However, the hosts fought to the end, but Lube snatched the set with 25:22.
Hurricane third set!
After losing a set, Bogdanka LUK responded appropriately! The team started with a whirlwind and pulled ahead 6:1. Leon again demonstrated his class with his serve, while McCarthy and Kevin Sasak contributed with important points. The difference swelled to 10 points, and Lube could not resist – 25:18 for Lublin!
Drama in the fourth set, but Bogdanka LUK held on!
Lube started stronger in the fourth set and took a three-point lead. The hosts, however, did not give up – Leon scored his sixth ace, and Bogdanka LUK's block started working at full speed. The Italians still had a 12:10 and 18:15 lead, but Lublin did not stop pressing. A series of successful blocks led to an 18:18 tie, and at the end of the set, Leon was unstoppable! The Poles won dramatically with 26:24 after Alex Nikolov was caught on a block, and the hall erupted! 🎉
Mission "title" – two sets left!
The rematch in Italy will be on March 19, and Bogdanka LUK needs only two sets to triumph! Will the Polish debutant manage to win their first European trophy? 🏐🔥
Bogdanka LUK Lublin – Cucine Lube Civitanova 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24)
LUBLIN: Nowakowski not in, Komenda 2, Sawicki 10, Malinowski, Wachnik not in, Leon 23, Slotarski not in,Grozdanov 6, Cirek (L), Hoss (L), Zajac not in, Tuinstra, McCarthy 10, Sasak 16. Coach: Botti
CIVITANOVA: Chinenyeze 8, Gargiulo, Leppky 6, Orduna, Bisotto (L), Balaso (L), Bonifante 4, Porya,Nikolov 12, Lagumdzija 11, Dirljic, Podrascanin 6, Botolo 12, Tenorio not in. Coach: Medei
Note: set durations 27’, 29’, 27’, 33’. Total 1 hour and 56 minutes.
Lublin: service errors 21, service points 13, blocks 13, attack 49%, reception 43% (21%).
Civitanova: service errors 21, service points 6, blocks 10, attack 44%, reception 43% (12%).
MVP: Leon.
photo:CEV
