Alex Nikolov and Lube in the final! The Scudetto will be decided against Trento🇧🇬🏐

Bulgarian star Alex Nikolov will play for the title in the Italian SuperLega! Gianpaolo Medei's Lube Civitanova team performed a true volleyball miracle, turning the semifinal series against the mighty Sir Safety Susa Vim Perugia from 0:2 to 3:2 victories. In the fifth match at PalaBarton – a true feat: 3:1 (29:27, 19:25, 17:25, 22:25) anda ticket to the final against Itas Trentino and the Champions League! 🏆🔥

🇧🇬Alex Nikolovonce again showed class –16 points(1 block, 3 aces), reception stability, and leadership in key moments. The young outside hitter has been on fire throughout the playoff stage, confirming his ambition to leave a lasting mark in the Italian elite. 💪
Nikolov distinguished himself with decisive blocks and important attack points, including the last hit in the second game that leveled the score for Lube. Furthermore, he executed a monstrous solo block against Ben Tara at 20-22 in the fourth game – a crucial point at the culmination of the match. 🇧🇬💪
🎯 Perugia started better but collapsed after the first set

After taking a 1:0 lead following a dramatic set, closed by Semeniuk with 29:27, the hosts from Perugia could not withstand Lube's pressure. The second set was dictated by Bottolo and Nikolov – with two aces from Bottolo and reception breaks, Civitanova forged a convincing 25:19.

💥Collapse in Perugia's attack and perfect serving from Lube

The third set was disastrous for the hosts – Ishikawa was substituted, Plotnytskyi made no difference, and Lagumdzija recorded 9 points. Lube totally dominated on serve (5 aces) and in attack, closing the set with 25:17.

🧱 Heroic defense, blocks, and seven aces from Bottolo

In the fourth set, Perugia fought and took the lead, but Bottolo once again erupted with hisseventh acein the match. Nikolov added a block against Ben Tara, and Gargiulo solidified with an attack through the center. The middle blocker again gave match point to his team. A mistake by Ben Tara on serve ended the match - 25:22 and 3:1 for Lube.

🏅 MVP - Botolo
With an impressive7 aces, stable play in defense, reception and attack, Mattia Botolo was fully deservedly chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the match.

🧱 Key figures for Lube:

• Adis Lagumdzija - 18 pts (1 block, 4 aces)

• Mattia Botolo - 16 pts (1 block,a full 7 aces!)

• Giovanni Gargiulo - 11 pts (2 blocks)

🎯 The serve was the decisive element - Lube scored17 aces against only 6 for the hosts, which literally threw Perugia off rhythm.

💥 For Perugia:

• Omar Ben Tara - 15 pts (2 blocks, 4 aces)

• Yuki Ishikawa - 13 pts (1 ace)

• Sebastian Sole - 10 pts (1 block)
  
  Having already won the Italian Cup, Lube now have a chance to complete a double. The final against Trento promises a spectacle, but one thing is clear -Alex Nikolov is about to write a golden page in the history of Bulgarian volleyball in Italy. 🇧🇬🏆
  

  
  

  
  To the club's websiteALEX NIKOLOV stated: "It was an incredible comeback against an extremely strong team. Our hearts made the difference. Now we will give everything in the final, we will play without setting any limits. Meanwhile, we are also enjoying our qualification for the Champions League."
  
  Sir Susa Vim Perugia 1

  Cucine Lube Civitanova 3

  (29-27, 19-25, 17-25, 22-25)

  Sir Susa Vim Perugia: Giannelli 2, Ishikawa 13, Sole 10, Ben Tara 15, Semeniuk 7, Oleh Plotnytskyi 7, Piccinelli (L), Zoppellari 0, Gianluca Galassi 0, Herrera Jaime 0, Colaci (L), Oleh Plotnytskyi 3. Did not play: Candelaro, Usowic. Coach: Anastasi.

  Cucine Lube Civitanova: Boninfante 1, Bottolo 16, Chinenyeze 11, Lagumdzija 18,Nikolov 16, Chinenyeze 6, Bizotto (L), Balaso 0, Hossein Khanzadeh 3, Dirljic 0. Did not play: Tenorio, Loeppky, Orduna, Podrascanin. Coach: Medei.

  Game durations: 37', 31', 29', 38'; total: 135'.