Ljubljana Remains Unbeaten in MEVZA League After Marathon Battle

In the Central European MEVZA League, Maribor's Tabor Hall hosted a Slovenian showdown between ACH Volley Ljubljana and i-Vent Maribor. Despite trailing 2:1 in sets, the Slovenian champions ultimately lived up to their favorites' status and secured another victory.

Maribor – Tabor Sports , Attendance: 80, Referees: Schimpl Igor, Viktoríni-Lisá Danica.

i-Vent Maribor : ACH Volley Ljubljana  2 : 3  (-20, 19, 19, -17, -12)

OK i-Vent Maribor: Cafuta 6, Vodušek 8, Almeida 18, Sešek 10, Valenčič 2, Špes Podbregar 15, Mazej, Donik (L), Škorc (L), Fink, Kožar 6, Mejal, Klinger. Coach: Sebastjan Škorc.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh 11, Kržič Jošt 1, Šket 6, Najdič 1, Esko, Marovt 18,  Šen 12, Kržič Janž Janez 2, Štalekar 2, Pokeršnik 2, Videčnik 7, Kök, Kumer (L).   Coach: Matjaž Hafner.

The match started evenly, with neither team able to gain a significant lead. However, successful blocks from Šket and Marovt gave ACH Volley a three-point advantage (11:14). Maribor responded with two consecutive blocks from Vodušek, reducing the gap to just one point (15:16). Later in the set, Marovt delivered two aces, extending the "Orange Dragons'" lead to +4, which was enough for a controlled finish. Janž Kržič converted the first set point (20:25).

The second and third sets saw a shift in momentum, as ACH Volley committed too many errors. Maribor capitalized with strong serves and efficient attacking plays, taking control and turning the match around to lead 2:1 in sets.

In response, ACH Volley’s coach Hafner made tactical substitutions that brought fresh energy into the team. The fourth set saw Ljubljana regain their true form, with Golzadeh delivering a powerful spike to push the lead to +4 (3:7). Marovt and Golzadeh continued to be the driving forces for the visitors, securing an eight-point advantage (11:19). The set ended after a Podbregar service error (17:25).

The decisive fifth set was tightly contested, with Maribor holding a slight lead at the side change (8:7), following a Cavalcanti spike. However, ACH Volley showed greater composure in the closing moments. Videčnik’s crucial block put them ahead by two points (11:13), and Golzadeh sealed the victory with a decisive attack (12:15).

Post-Match Reaction:

Matjaž Hafner, Head Coach of ACH Volley Ljubljana:
"I certainly cannot be satisfied with today's performance. Too many unforced errors and lack of decisiveness put us in a tough situation, which we managed to escape from, but we must close out matches much earlier in the future. We have another MEVZA League match tomorrow, and I expect us to improve on today’s display."