ACH Volley Ljubljana Goes Undefeated to Win 21st National Championship Title
In the third match of the Sportklub Slovenian Volleyball League Finals, we once again saw ACH Volley Ljubljana face Alpacem Kanal at Tivoli Hall—marking their third encounter in just one week. With a 2–0 lead in the series, Ljubljana had their first championship point and seized the opportunity. With a 3–1 victory, they remained undefeated in the domestic league and celebrated yet another title.
Ljubljana – Tivoli Sports Hall, Attendance: 550, Referees: Bernard Valentar, Marko Rožej
ACH Volley Ljubljana : Alpacem Kanal 3 : 1 (-23, 18, 21, 17)
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh 15, Jošt Kržič, Šket 3, Najdič, Esko 3, Marovt 13, Šen 4, Janž Janez Kržič 6, Kovačič (L), Štalekar 1, Pokeršnik, Videčnik 3, Kök 15, Kumer (L). Coach: Matjaž Hafner
Alpacem Kanal: Mugerli, Ćinćur 4, Jerončič 3, Vinčić 1, Godnič, Stojanović 15, Okroglič (L), Ristić 14, Kovačič, Maretič, Konjedic, Ranc 15. Coach: Gregor Jerončič
The opening set started well for ACH Volley Ljubljana, who took a quick 3–0 lead after two successful attacks from Kök. Kanal managed to close the gap to just one point (5–4), but the Orange Dragons pulled away again with strong offensive play (8–5). With Kržič scoring two consecutive points, Ljubljana extended their lead to 12–8. Although Kanal closed the gap again (12–10), their own errors allowed Ljubljana to go on another scoring run (14–10). Visiting coach Jerončič called a time-out, but it had little effect at first (16–12). However, entering the final stretch, the visitors regrouped and capitalized on Ljubljana’s loss of focus. After tying the score at 18–18, Ranc gave Kanal the lead with a sharp attack (19–20). A tense finish followed. Despite Hafner’s substitutions and a time-out, Kanal pulled off a surprise and won the first set 23–25.
The second set was filled with ties early on, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Kanal gained a slight edge after an attack from the red-hot Stojanović (10–8), but Ljubljana responded with a 5–1 run to take control (14–12), prompting a time-out from the visiting bench. After the break, Kök extended the lead with a spike and followed it with an ace for the largest gap of the match (19–14). That cushion was enough for a composed finish, with Videčnik closing the set with a block and tying the match at 1–1 (25–18).
Just like in the second set, the third began with a back-and-forth battle, with neither side able to create a clear advantage. After a few Kanal errors, ACH took the lead (7–5), and an ace from Kök made it 8–5, forcing another time-out from Jerončič. This time, it worked—Kanal leveled the score at 9–9. A series of ties followed until 13–13. Then the Orange Dragons turned up the pressure, increasing the tempo and using a Kržič block to lead 19–14. Kanal managed to reduce the deficit to two points (21–19), but the home side stayed composed. Videčnik used the second set point to seal the set at 25–21 and give ACH a 2–1 lead.
After early ties in the fourth set, the Dragons took control with effective play, building an 8–4 lead. The visitors responded with a time-out, but it didn’t stop ACH’s momentum. Marovt scored three consecutive points to extend the lead to 11–6. The rhythm was set, and the Ljubljana side kept pushing. By the second half of the set, they held a seven-point lead (15–8). As the final points approached, the champions delivered on their role as favorites, securing an unassailable eight-point lead (20–12). They kept their focus to the end and successfully defended their national title (25–17).
ACH Volley Ljubljana head coach Matjaž Hafner:
"Even with a 2–0 lead in the final series, we knew Kanal would come to Ljubljana highly motivated and determined to extend the series. On the other hand, we were very eager to end the season in the best possible way—in front of our home crowd and without a single loss in the entire league campaign. We made it happen, and I sincerely congratulate the players and all the staff. Now it’s time to celebrate—we’ve earned it."
ACH Volley Ljubljana team captain Jani Kovačič:
"We finished the season in the best way possible. The team wanted this and achieved it, and I’m proud of my teammates and the entire ACH Volley organization. Even though we shouldn’t have dropped that first set, we showed our true character in the next three and are rightfully celebrating another national championship."