ACH Volley Ljubljana convincingly reach the final tournament of the Slovenian Cup

The return leg of the Slovenian Cup quarter-finals was played between Hiša na kolesih Triglav and ACH Volley Ljubljana at the Planina sports hall in Kranj. Once again, the multiple Cup champions won 3:0 and qualified for the final tournament, which will take place from 20 to 22 December in the home hall of Hala Tivoli.

Kranj - Planina sports hall, 50 spectators, referees Klinar, Gozdnik (both Slovenia).

Hiša na kolesih Triglav : ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-18, -15, -20)

Hiša na kolesih Triglav: Ibrišimovič 2, Pušnik 5, Nanut 2, Tučen, Bregant 5, Godnič 1, Libnik (L), Snedec, Mali 5, Štembergar Zupan 3, Šikanič, Maček 5. Coach: Sašo Rop.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Pernuš 5, Šket, Rutar 1, Mašulović 8, Todorović 2, Peruničić, Okroglič 4, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 12, Pokeršnik 9, Videčnik 5, Kök 8. Coach: Mladen Kašić.

On the serve of the home captain Bregant, the Hiša na kolesih Triglav volleyball players gained their first significant advantage (7:4) in the opening set. The home team showed that they were not intimidated by the undefeated national champions from Ljubljana, also in the continuation of the match, where they maintained their advantage (10:6) with their summer game. The Orange Dragons managed to break the home team's initial run and tied the score on the 12th point on a serve from Ljubljana's Gjorgiev. After a successful attack by Kök, the Ljubljana players took the lead (13:14) and the pace of the game only increased. At 14:17, the home team's strategist Rop intervened after the first minute of the break. The Kranj players made too many mistakes of their own to keep up with ACH Volley Ljubljana, who won the set on the 18th point after a successful attack by captain Pokeršnik.

The second set started on the notes of the volleyball players from the capital city, who led 5:1 right from the start after an ace by Videčnik, and only increased their lead further (3:10, 5:13). After another powerful opening shot by Kök, the guests took an unassailable eight-point lead (8:16) and the second set was virtually decided. Ljubljana coach Kašič also gave Pernuš and Okroglič a chance to play in place of Todorović and Kök. The Orange Dragons continued to play at their own pace, which the home players were unable to follow. After a successful attack by Videčnik, they won the second set (15.25) and qualified for the final tournament of the Slovenian Cup.

The start of the third set was once again in the Orange Dragons' favour, as they escaped by four points (1:5) after a series of successful opening shots by the now very skilful Kök. The pressure of the Ljubljana volleyball team continued (4:9), but on the other side the Hiša na kolesih Triglav volleyball team started to wake up and reduced the deficit to just two points (11:13). This did not confuse the 12-time cup winners too much, who managed to pull away again (13:17) after a successful action by Pernuš. They maintained their lead until the end and qualified for the final round of the Slovenian Cup without losing a set (20:25).

ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Mladen Kašić: "We have competed against Kranj so many times this year that we knew what to expect. My players started a bit sleepy, but they quickly put things in the right place. Now we have a derby against Maribor, which will be a real test before the final tournament starts next week."