Mauro Fabris enjoys the double hat trick in Champions and European cups
An endless toast that shows no signs of waning. A.Carraro Prosecco Doc Conegliano lifts its third CEV Champions League into the skies of Istanbul, completing a legendary Grand Slam of trophies in a 2024-25 season that will go down in history: after the Supercup, the Club World Cup, the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto, the panthers also assert themselves in Europe. In the all-Italian final, the sixth Italian derby in the history of the competition (2024, 2019, 2005, 2001, 1993 being the previous ones), Coach Santarelli’s panthers prevailed 3-0 over Savino Del Bene Scandicci, which nonetheless won an excellent silver medal at the end of its first Final Four. An all-Italian podium that confirms the dominance of Serie A over women’s volleyball as the bronze medal went to Numia Vero Volley Milan, a 3-1 winner over VakifBank Istanbul.
The following are the words of the President of the Women’s Volleyball League Serie A, Mauro Fabris: “There could not have been a better conclusion to the Golden Age season: congratulations to A.Carraro Prosecco Doc Conegliano led by Presidents Pietro Maschio and Piero Garbellotto for the splendid victory, but also to Savino Del Bene Scandicci of owner Paolo Nocentini for the silver medal and to Numia Vero Volley Milano of Presidents Aldo Fumagalli and Alessandra Marzari for the bronze medal. A heartfelt applause to the Trevisan club, protagonist of a Grand Slam that will remain in history, the result of important investments by the Company and sponsors: five trophies out of five competitions, with the exploit of the Champions League after having already put the Supercup, the Italian Cup, the World Club Championship and the Scudetto in its trophy cabinet this year.”
“After the Olympic gold in Paris,” President Fabris continued, “our teams have won every trophy available, from the Club World Cup with Conegliano itself to the CEV Challenge Cup with Rome, to the CEV Cup in Novara. An international domination of the Women’s Serie A, confirmed by six consecutive European titles, that should make all the League Companies, ownership and sponsors who have made possible this continued success, unmatched in other sports, proud. Glory and pride of our country, a tool for promoting the values of sports, social and cultural growth and international attractiveness. Behind all this is a model of the top women’s volleyball movement that evidently works in synergy and harmony with the Federation itself. We are now celebrating this Golden Season, but we are already defining new ideas and launching new challenges to broaden even more the following that our Serie A is gathering around the world.”
European success number three for A.Carraro Prosecco Doc Conegliano (already winner in 2021 and 2024), the 29th trophy in the Panthers’ history and the ninth consecutive trophy out of nine competitions in the last two years, comes at the end of yet another great performance by Coach Santarelli’s girls. Strong start in the first set (25-16) against Savino Del Bene Scandicci, stifled not only with an asphyxiating wall (5 blocks in the first set, 11 total) but also with a very attentive defense, kept up for practically the whole match thanks to the great contribution of De Gennaro and Gabi. Antropova (14 points) and Ruddins in the last two sets (9 points) tried to change the inertia of the match, but without going beyond 25-21 in the second partial and 25-19 that closed the contest.
Joanna Wolosz’s direction throughout the match, unreadable for the opponent’s wall: great credit to the Polish player for Haak’s 21 points (64%), MVP of the Final Four, but also for Zhu’s 14 (71%), decisive in this two-day event, and for the 11 of the Brazilian setter herself. Chirichella and Fahr (3 and 2 walls) closed with 7 and 6 points, however, very careful on every Tuscan offensive.
In the afternoon, to seal Serie A’s dominance over the CEV Champions League, came the success of Numia Vero Volley Milano, able to overcome the Turks of VakifBank Istanbul 3-1 in the Final that was worth the bronze medal. A match that coach Lavarini’s girls approached very well, flying in the first set on the wings of Egonu (6 points) and a precise Orro not only at the direction but also lethal in attack (3 points) for the 25-15 worth the 1-0. Protagonist also in the second partial the blue diagonal, with other 6 points of the opposite and 3 of the director for the 25-19 that did not seem to hint at any reaction from the Turks.
The pride of the Turkish lineup was the result of the Italian team’s determination to win.
The pride of Coach Guidetti’s lineup, however, was seen in the third game, also due to some changes in the 6+1 yellow-and-white, with Cebecioglu (6 points) opposite and Frantti (3) paired with Markova on the band, after both Van Ryk and Bosetti had not shined in the first half. After a point-to-point set, the acceleration of the Turks came in the final and allowed the 23-25 win that not only reopened the challenge but also enlivened the Ulker Sports Arena crowd. In the hot environment, Coach Lavarini’s team suffered pressure at the beginning of the fourth set, but then melted away, also thanks to the entrance of Heyrman, who was fundamental both at the wall but also emotionally, in the 25-18 that closed the games. Undisputed MVP Orro, very polished at the direction and dangerous in attack, 21 points for Egonu (5 walls) ahead of Cazaute (15 with 60%), Daalderop (12) and Danesi (11, 3 walls). For the Turks, 16 points for Markova and 10 for Cebecioglu.
