Ljubljana Side Take a Clean Win and an Excellent Position Ahead of the Return Match

The Slovenian champions, ACH Volley Ljubljana, delivered a dominant performance in the first match of the 3rd round of qualification for the Champions League group stage. With an outstanding display on the road in Serbia, they secured a highly important victory and an excellent starting position before the decisive return match next Thursday at 20:00. The final score was a convincing 3–0.

Kragujevac – Jezero Sports Hall, attendance: 800, referees: Yves Kälin (Switzerland), Agnieszka Michlic (Poland).
Radnički Kragujevac – ACH Volley Ljubljana 0 : 3 (-13, -20, -23)

Radnički Kragujevac: Vukmirović, Ćirović 8, Kostić 1, Lopar 5, Sekulić, Vidović (L), Stašević (L), Gajović 3, Stević, Bojović 12, Banković 2, Kovać 7, Hadzimehmedović, Zivanović. Head coach: Aleksa Brojović.

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Štern 15, Pajenk 7, Kržič Jošt, Šket, Najdič, Marovt 21, Šen, Kržič Janž Janez 4, Klobučar, Kovačič (L), Prevorčnik, Ropret 3, Urnaut, Verdinek (L). Head coach: Igor Kolaković.

The match in Kragujevac opened perfectly for the Ljubljana side, who immediately took control. Marovt signaled early that it would be his night—first with a block, then with an ace. Moments later, another ace pushed the score to 7:3, forcing a timeout from Radnički’s head coach Brojović.

After a spectacular rally finished smartly by Marovt, the Orange Dragons extended their lead to +5 (9:14). Tonček Štern followed with a powerful attack, stretching the advantage to 10:18, and shortly after, a superb block secured the first set point. Marovt converted it on the next play, sealing the opening set.

The second set began evenly before ACH Volley Ljubljana broke away for the first significant lead. Radnički responded by tightening their play, managing to erase the deficit and take a slim 12:11 lead after a successful attack by Kovać. This triggered a timeout by head coach Kolaković, after which the Slovenian champions regained momentum and surged ahead 15:12.

Pajenk denied Bojović with a key block for 22:19, and soon after, young Marovt delivered a strong serve for 23:19. Šket, who replaced Ropret in the final stages, recorded a block for set point, which Pajenk converted with another excellent block (20:25).

The opening phase of the third set was tightly contested, with both teams committing more unforced errors. As the set progressed, Marovt once again showed finesse, faking an attack to secure a narrow lead entering the final stretch (20:21). Pajenk’s block extended the advantage to +3, and Štern converted the second match point to secure a crucial road victory (23:25).

ACH Volley Ljubljana head coach, Igor Kolaković:
"This is an extremely important win for our team. We were mentally better prepared than we were in Romania. We managed to exploit Radnički’s weaknesses. We now have a big advantage heading into the return match, but we must be aware that Radnički will play better in Ljubljana and take more risks. That cannot distract us from our clear goal—qualifying for the Champions League group stage."

ACH Volley Ljubljana player, Luka Marovt:
"It was a tough match here in Kragujevac, but we delivered a very good performance. A difficult road game, a new hall, a new environment, so I’m really happy that we managed to win 3–0. This gives us a perfect opportunity before the return match—hopefully in a packed Tivoli Arena."