Ljubljana’s Volleyball Team Defeats Maribor in Slovenian MEVZA League Semifinal

ACH Volley Ljubljana

In the opening match of the MEVZA League Final Four, taking place today and tomorrow in Zagreb, we witnessed an all-Slovenian clash between familiar rivals ACH Volley Ljubljana and i-Vent Maribor. The defending champions lived up to their favorites' role, securing a 3-0 victory, though they had to work hard for it.

Zagreb – sports hall Bojan Stranič, spectators: 80,  referees: Kováč Boris, Bátkai-Katona Agnes

ACH Volley Ljubljana : i-Vent Maribor 3 : 1  (22, 23, 25)

ACH Volley Ljubljana: Golzadeh, Kržič Jošt, Šket 14, Najdič, Esko 1, Marovt 9,  Šen, Kržič Janž Janez 4, Štalekar, Prevorčnik, Pokeršnik 10, Videčnik 6, Kök 6, Kumer (L).   Coach: Matjaž Hafner

OK i-Vent Maribor: Cafuta 1, Fužir (L), Vodušek 3, Almeida 8, Sešek 17, Valenčič 4, Špes Podbregar, Mazej, Donik 5, Škorc (L), Fink 3, Kastelic, Kožar 4, Mejal. Coach: Sebastjan Škorc.

The match started in favor of ACH Volley, who quickly built a five-point lead (8:3), prompting Maribor’s coach Sebastjan Škorc to call a timeout. The Dragons controlled the first set up to the final stage, but the resilient i-Vent players fought back, reducing the deficit to just one point (23:22). This forced Ljubljana’s coach Matjaž Hafner to react with a timeout. Returning to the court, ACH Volley secured three consecutive points, closing out the set with a composed finish (25:22).

Similar to the first, the second set also started in ACH Volley’s favor, with effective attacks establishing a 10:7 lead. With a 16:11 advantage, a comfortable finish seemed likely, but Maribor once again showed incredible resilience, saving four set points to come within one point (24:23). However, the Ljubljana squad managed to hold on, sealing the set 25:23.

The third set saw a stronger start from Maribor, who took a five-point lead (10:15). After a timeout requested by Hafner, ACH Volley regrouped, narrowing the gap to just one point (14:15) and later equalizing at 16:16. The marathon final phase of the set turned into a true battle of nerves, with ACH Volley Ljubljana eventually celebrating victory (27:25) after Maribor’s coach Škorc received a card. With this win, Ljubljana advanced to tomorrow’s final.

Matjaž Hafner, Head Coach of ACH Volley Ljubljana:
"We didn’t play our best game today, while our opponents were extremely motivated and relentless. Maribor once again proved that you have to apply pressure in every set until the very last point and not allow them to come back into the game. In the end, the win is what matters, but we need to be mentally stronger for tomorrow’s final and stay focused from the first whistle to the last. Congratulations to the team on reaching the final."