Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza took a significant step towards the CEV Cup 2026 trophy after decisively winning their away match against SVG Lüneburg with a 3:0 (26:24, 25:22, 25:16) victory in the first final clash.
The German team started stronger and had a lead in the first two sets, but the Italians demonstrated greater class in key moments and achieved comebacks. In the third set, Piacenza dominated completely and closed out the match without problems.
Alessandro Bovolenta was the top scorer with 17 points, Jose Gutierrez added 11, and the setter Paolo Porro became MVP. For Lüneburg, Axel Englung finished with 11 points.
The return leg is in a week in Italy, where Piacenza will be the clear favorite for the trophy.
If they win the trophy, this will be the second European cup in Piacenza's trophy cabinet after their triumph in the CEV Cup tournament in the 2022/23 season. The club's director, Hristo Zlatanov, will be most pleased by this, as will the conditioning coach Lorenzo Barbieri, who in 2024 was part of Bulgaria's staff.
Photo:Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza
