ACH Ljubljana and HAOK Mladost Zagreb Crowned MEVZA Champions

The final matches of the MEVZA League took place on Thursday, bringing thrilling volleyball action and crowning the new champions in both men’s and women’s categories. The tournament, which featured some of the best clubs from Central Europe, provided intense matches and spectacular performances from all teams involved.

In the men’s third-place match, OK Maribor secured the bronze medal with a dominant 3-0 victory over SK Zadruga Aich-Dob. The Slovenian side controlled the match with set scores of 25-20, 25-21, and 25-23. Their solid teamwork and consistent play allowed them to claim a well-deserved spot on the podium, highlighting their strength and determination throughout the competition.

On the women’s side, OK Dinamo Zagreb clinched third place after defeating Slovenian club OTP Banka Branik with a 3-1 scoreline. The Croatian team took the win with set scores of 24-26, 20-25, 25-15, and 21-25. Despite dropping one set, Dinamo Zagreb displayed resilience and tactical superiority to secure the bronze medal, further cementing its reputation as a strong competitor in the region.

The men’s final saw ACH Ljubljana claim the MEVZA title with a commanding 3-0 victory over HAOK Mladost Zagreb. The Slovenians showcased their strength by taking the sets 25-27, 17-25, and 22-25, ensuring their place at the top of the competition. Their well-structured attack and defensive discipline left HAOK Mladost struggling to find answers, ultimately leading to a straight-set win for ACH Ljubljana.

Meanwhile, in the women’s final, HAOK Mladost Zagreb emerged victorious after an intense five-set battle against OK Calcit Kamnik. The Croatian club secured the championship with a thrilling 3-2 win, with set scores of 25-20, 10-25, 25-19, 22-25, and a dramatic 19-17 finish. The final set was a true test of mental and physical endurance, with HAOK Mladost showing remarkable composure in the deciding moments to claim the title.

Captain Ana Ištuk, holding the trophy in her hands, said:

“It was a match full of ups and downs. After winning the first set, we got carried away by the euphoria, which led to some confusion, and we burned out in the second set. But we showed character, came back in the third set, and then stayed true to ourselves – rather than finishing it in the fourth, we played a fifth set, just like we have many times this season. And so far, we haven’t lost a single one.”

With these results, ACH Ljubljana and HAOK Mladost Zagreb celebrate their MEVZA League triumphs, solidifying their dominance in Central European volleyball.