Allianz Milano won the European trophy in the Challenge Cup tournament, after defeating Lindemans Aalst 3:0 (25:16, 25:19, 25:18) in the return leg of the final, played in front of their home crowd. The Italian team confirmed its superiority even after the victory in the first match in Belgium, leaving no doubt as to which was the more dominant team in this clash. In the "Allianz Cloud" arena, over 5000 spectators witnessed a historic moment for the club, which claimed its first trophy in front of its fans. Roberto Piazza's team approached the game with extreme concentration from the very first set and quickly imposed its pace, thereby not allowing the Belgian opponent to develop their game. The first two sets were entirely sufficient for the Italians to secure overall success in the tournament, and they won them convincingly, demonstrating stability in all elements – powerful serves, organized blocks, and excellent defensive play with saved balls in key moments. In the third set, the hosts finished the task without hesitation, turning the final into a one-sided spectacle.
This success also has a more special flavor for Milan. The club's previous European triumph came during the pandemic, when celebrations were deprived of the audience's emotion. Now, however, the team managed to share the joy with its fans, which added even greater value to the achievement.
For head coach Roberto Piazza, this distinction also holds special significance. It comes at a time when he is preparing to conclude his tenure at the club after a long period at the helm of the team, leaving behind a stable foundation and European success.

photo:cev.eu