ACH Volley Ljubljana without a chance in Maribor.

In the semifinal match of the Slovenian Cup, the teams i-Vent Maribor and the defending cup champions, ACH Volley Ljubljana's volleyball players, faced off in the Tabor hall in Maribor. The opening of the match suggested that the home team was determined to create a surprise in front of their fans, and they succeeded after just three sets. The Maribor volleyball players rightfully celebrate their place in the Slovenian Cup final.

Maribor – Tabor sports hall, spectators: 320, referees: Bernard Valentar, Gregor Novak

i-Vent Maribor: Fužir, Vodušek, Pernuš 2, Adžović, McConnel 8, Valenčič, Bračko 20, Kumer (L), Kržič 9, Donik 9, Škorc (L), Fink 7, Novak. Coach: Sebastijan Škorc.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Marković, Kržič, Šket 9, Najdič 2, Marovt, Šen 11, Koncilja 5, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 11, Sešek 1, Pokeršnik 7, Videčnik 2, Song (L). Coach: Radovan Gačič.

Right from the start of the encounter, the i-Vent volleyball players made it clear that tonight they would do everything to keep the victory in the Styrian capital. After taking the lead 5-1, Coach Gačič called the first timeout, but it didn't stop the home team's momentum. Bračko first increased it to 7-2 with an ace, and with an effective attack, he secured a seven-point lead (10-3). The Ljubljana players couldn't get their game together, and the Maribor players continued to set a powerful rhythm. With a new point, the best individual on the Tabor hall court, the young Bračko, secured a 1-0 lead in sets (25:18).

In the second set, we saw a slightly more balanced start, but the Maribor players were still in the forefront. McConnel and Bračko were breaking through the Ljubljana block without major problems, and the lead quickly grew to +4. Even in the second half of the set, all the reins of the game were in the hands of the i-Vent players, who entered the final stage with a four-point lead after Pernuš' block (20-16). The last two points of the second set were contributed by McConnel with successful attacks, securing a 2-0 lead in sets (25:21).

In the third set, the Dragons quickly found themselves behind (8-4), but this time, they managed to erase the deficit and take the lead by the middle of the set. However, it became evident that today was not the day for the Ljubljana volleyball players. They once again found themselves trailing, while the Maribor players were on the verge of a major success with three set points. With a partial score of 3:0, the Ljubljana players managed to equalize at 24 points, but then faltered again, and the celebration of the home volleyball players could begin (26:24).

Statement from ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "It's hard to say anything after such a defeat. We definitely didn't deserve to win today; the game didn't go as we wanted. Unfortunately, we concluded our appearances in the cup competition, so we are directing all our thoughts to the national championship, where we will do everything to achieve our goal in the end."