ACH Volley Ljubljana Advances to the Grand Final by Defeating Krka

In the return leg of the Sportklub First Volleyball League semifinals, we witnessed a matchup in Novo Mesto between Krka and ACH Volley Ljubljana. This was the seventh encounter between the two teams this season, and once again the reigning champions emerged victorious, securing their place in the final of the Sportklub First Volleyball League.

Novo Mesto – Marof Sports Hall, Attendance: 450, Referees: Mihajlo Milojevič, Iso Adrovič
Krka : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (17, 17, 17)

Krka: Travnik M (L), Medved 1, Erpič, Mikulass, Kosmina 6, Bregar M. 5, Verdinek (L), Travnik T, Glamočanin 2, Koncilja 6, Vidmar, Lindič, Rojnik 7, Bregar P. Coach: Tomislav Mišin
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh 16, Kržič Jošt, Šket, Najdič, Esko, Marovt, Šen 10, Kržič Janž Janez 7, Kovačič (L), Štalekar 4, Pokeršnik, Videčnik, Kök 12, Kumer (L). Coach: Matjaž Hafner

Surprisingly, the match began in favor of the home team, who took an early 3:1 lead after a few eye-catching plays. However, the Orange Dragons quickly responded. A fired-up Golzadeh scored three consecutive points to first equalize and then push ACH Volley ahead at 4:6. The visiting team from the capital soon took control, increasing their lead to four points (6:10) thanks to effective serving and consistent attacking, which forced Krka’s coach to call a timeout. The momentum on the court remained largely unchanged after the break—ACH Volley stayed focused and maintained their lead into the second half of the set (11:15). As the set progressed, the Dragons only intensified their game and extended their lead to six points just before the end (16:22). The set was sealed with an ace by Šen (17:25).

After an even start through the first five points of the second set, the visitors from Ljubljana gained the first significant lead, going up 5:7 after an ace by Kök. Krka’s coach called a timeout at 5:8, but it again failed to shift the game’s direction. The Orange Dragons continued with high intensity, extending their lead to 6:12 with a 4-point run. This sparked some life in Krka, who managed to close the gap (9:13) and later narrowed it to 12:15. Just when it seemed they might come back, ACH Volley regained control. With composed play and aided by Krka’s errors, they quickly pulled away again (14:20). Although the home team fought back and saved three match points at 14:24, Šen finally converted the fourth (17:25).

The third set also started better for the visitors, who led 0:2 and held a slight advantage until 5:7, after which they increased the gap to four points (5:9). The flow of the set continued to favor ACH Volley, prompting Krka’s coach Mišin to react once again at 7:12. Even after the timeout, the Dragons remained composed, maintaining a steady five-point lead. A standout performance by Kök, who scored three consecutive points, kept Ljubljana in control (11:16). At 12:18, Krka used their last timeout, but the visitors didn’t let up and increased the lead again to 14:24, matching their biggest lead of the previous set. Despite missing three initial match points, coach Hafner called a tactical timeout, after which Kök stepped up and sealed the match with a successful attack, securing a 0:3 win and a spot in the grand final for ACH Volley Ljubljana.

ACH Volley Ljubljana Coach, Matjaž Hafner:

"I want to congratulate my players on advancing to the grand final. Today, we didn’t allow our opponents to get into their rhythm—we secured enough of a lead early in each set to close things out calmly and confidently in Novo Mesto. Now, we have enough time for quality training and preparation for the final series, where we aim to showcase our best level of play and claim the national championship title."