ACH Volley Ljubljana Secures Final Spot in the Slovenian Cup in Novo Mesto

At the Slovenian Cup semi-final in Novo Mesto, we witnessed a match between the home team Krka and the visiting ACH Volley Ljubljana. Despite being clear favorites, the guests faced a tough challenge from the motivated and relaxed Krka players but ultimately secured their ticket to the Slovenian Cup final in Velenje with a hard-fought victory.

Novo Mesto – Marof Sports Hall, Attendance: 150, Referees: Blaž Markelj, Daniel Atanasov.

Krka : ACH Volley Ljubljana 1 : 3 (-19, 26, -19, -26)

Krka: Travnik (L), Medved 6, Erpič, Mikulass 1, Kosmina 22, Bregar M. 12, Verdinek (L), Travnik 9, Glamočanin, Koncilja 6, Vidmar, Lindič, Rojnik 10, Bregar P. Coach: Tomislav Mišin.
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh 20, Kržič Jošt, Šket, Najdič, Esko 4, Marovt 16, Šen, Kržič Janž Janez 6, Štalekar 2, Pokeršnik 23, Videčnik, Kök, Kožar (L), Kumer (L). Coach: Matjaž Hafner.

The match began with ACH Volley quickly pulling ahead of Krka, capitalizing on errors by Kosmina and Bregar, while the in-form Pokeršnik pushed the lead to +4 (7:11). The Orange Dragons extended their advantage throughout the set, with Marovt serving an ace to widen the gap to six points (13:19). They calmly closed out the set on their first set point (19:25) to take a 1-0 lead.

Krka opened the second set strongly, with solid blocks and efficient attacks giving them a 6:2 lead. A series of missed serves by Ljubljana extended the home team’s lead to 9:5. Krka maintained their two- to three-point advantage until the closing stages (23:20). However, the Dragons, led by Marovt with two aces, leveled the score at 23. Krka capitalized on Golzadeh's attack error to convert their fourth set point and equalize the match (28:26).

The third set began evenly, but the guests took a +3 lead (11:14) after an ace by Janž Kržič and a serve error by Bregar. ACH Volley carried this advantage into the latter stages and sealed the set at 19:25 after Glamočanin’s serve error.

The fourth set saw an evenly matched battle with both teams trading leads throughout. Each side fought for every point, creating a thrilling finale. ACH Volley reached the first match point (23:24) but converted only their fourth opportunity after a tense rally, with Kržič delivering the decisive block (26:28).

Statement from ACH Volley Ljubljana’s Head Coach Matjaž Hafner:
"I’m not satisfied with our performance today. This wasn’t the level of play we displayed just days ago in Maribor. Nevertheless, I congratulate the team on reaching the cup final. As we prepare for it at the start of the new year, our sole goal remains securing the ultimate victory."