ACH Volley Ljubljana wins first half of Mevza semifinal

The first semi-final match of the Mevza Central European Championship in Maribor saw a Slovenian showdown between Merkur Maribor and ACH Volley Ljubljana. The defending champions won the match with a 3:1 victory, giving them an excellent starting point for the return leg in Ljubljana.

Maribor - sports hall Tabor, spectators: 120, referees: Juráček Miroslav, Viktoríni Lisa Danica.

OK Merkur Maribor : ACH Volley Ljubljana 1:3 (-20, 21, -15, -20).

OK Merkur Maribor: Jevšnik (L), Vodušek 1, Pernuš 2, Adžović, McConnel 9, Bračko 11, Kumer (L), Kržič 6, Donik 23, Leva, Fink 5, Najdič, Iršič, Peruničić.   Coach: Sebastjan Škorc.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Mejal, Šket, Mašulović 11, Todorović 5, Bošnjak, Koncilja 16, Šestan 11, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 22, Videčnik, Kök 6, Šen.   Coach: Radovan Gačić.

ACH Volley Ljubljana volleyball players started the match better and after a series of opening shots by Kök they led 5:3. The young Maribor volleyball players tied the score on the sixth point, but in the following period they had the initiative and led by two points (13:11). The guests from Ljubljana played better and caught the home team on the 14th point, and despite two time-outs at the request of coach Škorc, they took the lead (15:17). The substitutions of the Maribor team were not enough, and the Ljubljana team marched confidently towards victory in the opening set (20:25).

The start of the second set was even, with the teams exchanging the lead. The first significant advantage was gained by Merkur's volleyball players after excellent serves by Bračko and a solid block (7:5). With the score 9:6 in favour of the home team, ACH Volley's strategist Gačič stepped in after the first break. It worked, as the Dragons caught the jack and with Gjorgiev on the attack and Kök on the serve, they captured the jack. In the next set, the fierce Maribor players took a five-point lead (17-12) with an outstanding block-defense game. Bračko did not stop with his excellent serves and the home volleyball team led by six points (20-14). They did not waste the advantage and settled the score in the set at 1-1 (25-21).

As if the losing set had angered the Slovenian champions, they made a great start in the third set and quickly went up by four (2:6). They improved their serve-receive game, making it easier for them to come up with successful finishes. The block-defence started to work and captain Gjorgiev was unstoppable in attack. Throughout the set, they dictated the rhythm of the game and won it confidently (15:25).

In the fourth set, the Orange Dragons had the initiative, with Koncilja's excellent serve giving them a 10:7 lead. The Ljubljana volleyballers were the better opponents in the second set, but the young Maribor team allowed themselves too many unforced errors. Šestan successfully finished for 22:17, and Mašulović secured the win (20:25) with an attack over the middle.

ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "First of all, congratulations to the players who played a solid and composed game today. We were able to come together in the most important moments of the match and we are deservedly happy for this important victory. Maribor will definitely not give up despite today's defeat, so we will have to finish the job next week on our home floor in Hala Tivoli."