Calcit Volley KAMNIK are the winners of the 2020/2021 edition of the men’s Slovenian national cup. In the grand finale of the tournament, organised by the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia in Ljubljana, they defeated ACH Volley LJUBLJANA 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-22) to secure their fourth title in the competition – the first since the 2016/2017 season.
Calcit Volley KAMNIK celebrate their success in this year’s Slovenian national cup
Seven teams took part in the final tournament in Crnuce, and after OK SIP ŠEMPETER cancelled their participation, ACH Volley progressed directly to the semi-finals. Calcit Volley defeated the newly crowned Slovenian champions, OK Merkur MARIBOR, in the quarterfinals, and in the semi-finals, the team from Kamnik prevailed over Hiša na kolesih Triglav.
ACH Volley beat OK Salonit Anhovo in the other semi-final match, but then did not stand any chance in their aim to claim a 13th Cup title against Calcit Volley. “Physically we were ready to play on a high level, but mentally we were not in a good state. We also had problems with injuries, but despite this, I was still confident that we would claim the gold medal. We made many substitutions, we were trying to find players with a good spirit, but we were not successful. Congratulations to Calcit Volley,” the head coach of ACH Volley Matija Pleško was not satisfied with the outcome. The Slovenian multiple national champions and cup winners did not win a single title this year – the first time this happens since the 2003/2004 season.
An imposing triple block of Calcit Volley stops ACH Volley’s attack
On the other side of the net, the middle blocker of Calcit Volley and Slovenia’s national team – which will gather tomorrow in Ljubljana – Sašo Štalekar was extremely happy with the outcome: “We played very well today. We had control over the match from the beginning to the end. We did not allow for the same scenario from the semis to happen again when ACH Volley beat us after we already had a huge lead in the series. Each of the best three clubs in Slovenia claimed one title this season and I think this is fair. We played well throughout the whole season, but there was always something missing. Now we proved that we can win titles as well.”
“This title is more than welcome. It is a confirmation of our hard work throughout the whole season – which was very difficult and intense. I would like to congratulate my players on this win.”
Head coach of Calcit Volley Gregor Jeroncic
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CEV – European Volleyball
OZS – Volleyball Federation of Slovenia
