French champions too high a barrier for ACH Volley Ljubljana
On the second home game of the orange dragons in this season's Champions League, the Ljubljana team faced the French champion Tours VB. In a spectacle accompanied by more than 3000 spectators, the Slovenian champions, after an excellent opening set, weakened and suffered their third defeat in this year's elite competition. Tours VB won with a score of 3:1.
Ljubljana – Tivoli Sports Hall, spectators: 3812, referees: Vinaliev (BUL), Jurković (CRO)
ACH Volley Ljubljana: Kržič, Satler, Šket, Najdič 2, Marovt 18, Šen 3 , Koncilja 9, Kovačič (L), Gjorgiev 26, Sešek , Pokeršnik 11, Videčnik 1. Coach: Radovan Gačič
TOURS VB: Faganas, Nascimento Dos Santos 9, Pothron 5, Ramon, Gabin, Mendez 9, Drame Neto 21, Tammearu 15, Prevert, Čorić 3, Strehlau, Parkinson 9. Coach: Marcelo Fronckowiak
The French started the game better and, fueled by the excellent performance of Nascimento, took a three-point lead (6:9). The Dragons woke up and began to narrow the lead (12:14). The minutes of Luke Marovt followed, who got the chance to start today. The exceptionally promising receiver of the orange dragons led the Ljubljana team to the lead (18:17) with three consecutive aces when the score was 17:15 in favor of the guests. In the exciting finish, the more focused Ljubljana players concluded the set with an effective attack by the outstanding Marovt (25:22).
In the second set, the French had the initial initiative (2:4), but the orange dragons quickly returned and equalized the score. With a fighting spirit in the continuation of the set, the home team took the lead (11:9), but on the other side, the French champions quickly recovered and soon nullified the deficit. In the second half of the set, we witnessed an attractive game from both teams, and at the beginning of the set, the Tours players managed to take a two-point lead (17:19), followed by a reaction from Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič. The French entered the final part of the set with Čorić's ace and a three-point lead (18:21). Despite the persistence of the Ljubljana players and narrowing the gap to 22:23, the guests equalized the score in sets to 1:1 (25:23).
In the beginning of the third set, the guests showed better play, but they couldn't pull away from Ljubljana for more than two points. At the seventh point, the home team leveled the score with a block by Marovt, and then Pokeršnik, with exceptional dedication in defense, forced the opposing coach to call the first timeout in the third set. In the continuation, the Ljubljana players maintained their advantage, and the lead increased to three points (14:11). Again, the guests returned, and with good play in block-defense, they leveled the score at the 16th point. Following a timeout called by coach Gačič, which did not stop the attack of the French champions (16:18). The Slovenian champions, after some substitutions, managed to reduce the four-point deficit to just one (19:20). In the end, despite Marovt's ace for 23:24, they showed too little for a turnaround. The set ended with a score of 23:25.
In the fourth set, the French knew how to punish any lack of focus in the game of the Ljubljana players and took a lead of six points (1:7). The Ljubljana fans did not give up so easily; in the continuation, they reduced their deficit to three points (7:10), after a series of excellent serves by Šen, the orange dragons came close to just one point (12:13). However, even this time, it was not enough for a turnaround, the French players once again pulled away, and they entered the final phase with a four-point lead (16:20). They finally confirmed the victory with a score of 3:1 in sets (18:25).
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana coach Radovan Gačič: "A tough game is behind us, and this is a loss that definitely hurts. We started excellently; we had a fantastic Marovt, and we also served exceptionally well. In the second and third sets, we had our chances, but we woke up too late in the end. Our young players have once again proven that they can play at the highest level, which is a good incentive for the continuation of the season."
Statement by ACH Volley Ljubljana player Luke Marovt: "We could definitely have gained more from today's game. We had our game, which worked against the French champions, but the opponent improved, especially in block-defense, and we no longer exerted such pressure on the serve. We will look for opportunities for the first victory in this year's Champions League already next week in Poland."