The Scent of the Champions League Is Already in the Air at Tivoli

Only one final step separates the volleyball players of ACH Volley Ljubljana from achieving their first major goal of the season - qualification for the group stage of the CEV Champions League. Three volleyball giants in Group A – the Italian (and European), Turkish and French champions are already known, while the identity of the fourth participant will be decided by Thursday’s match at Tivoli Hall.

Naturally, the Slovenian champions are determined to claim that spot themselves, especially as they hold an excellent position ahead of the second leg of the 3rd qualifying round. In the first match played last week, the Orange Dragons convincingly defeated the Serbian champions, Radnički Kragujevac, and returned home with a dominant 3–0 victory achieved in just 73 minutes of play. The standout performer for ACH Volley Ljubljana was 20-year-old Luka Marovt with 21 points, while the experienced Tonček Štern added 12. On the Radnički side, the top scorer was 39-year-old Mladen Bojović with 12 points.

Both teams were also in action last weekend and recorded wins. ACH Volley Ljubljana defeated Panvita Pomgrad 3–0 in Murska Sobota in the Slovenian championship, while Radnički overcame VGSK 3–1 in Veliko Gradište, near the Romanian border, as part of the national cup quarter-finals.

Ahead of the return leg against the Serbians, head coach Igor Kolaković and player Alen Pajenk shared their expectations.

Igor Kolaković: “I certainly expect a stronger Radnički side in Tivoli, although we do not yet know in what lineup they will appear. In the first match, their setter, who is also an excellent server, was injured and could not serve normally on home court. They were also missing an outside hitter. Regardless, we are preparing as if they will play with a full roster. They will surely be more relaxed and under less pressure than they were at home. I believe we are the higher-quality team, the players are extremely motivated and fully committed in preparation.”

Alen Pajenk: “It feels completely different and significantly better to be in such a strong position before the second leg than we were before the match against the Romanians. We are aware that Radnički has not given up and will do everything possible to make things difficult for us. After our domestic league win, we had enough time for quality training and preparation for the opponent. The atmosphere in the team is excellent, and we are all eagerly looking forward to a packed Tivoli and a match that, if successful, will take us into the Champions League.”

The return match of the final qualifying round for the CEV Champions League will take place tomorrow, Thursday, at 8:00 PM at Tivoli Hall. The team led by Igor Kolaković once again expects a full arena that will carry the players towards qualification for the elite group stage. In the event of an overall victory (even a 2–3 defeat would be sufficient for advancement), ACH Volley Ljubljana will travel to Italy in two weeks to face reigning European champions Itas Trentino in the first round of the Champions League.

Tickets for the match against Radnički are still available at Eventim sales points. The match will be broadcast live on Kanal A, starting at 7:50 PM.