Conegliano, huge blow: serious injury for Cristina Chirichella

Just days after winning the Scudetto and on the eve of the Champions League Final Four scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Ülker Sports Hall in Istanbul, Imoco Volley Conegliano announced the serious injury of central player Cristina Chirichella, who therefore ends her season prematurely and will not be able to contribute in the decisive matches of the European competition.

“With deep sorrow the club announces that the athlete Cristina Chirichella will not take part in the Champions League trip to Istanbul because in one of the last training sessions at Palaverde she encountered a serious injury to her right knee, which has abruptly interrupted her season,” the note reads.

“The diagnosis of the club’s medical staff after the examinations carried out speaks of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament,” the club later confirms. The Gialloblù powerhouse will carry out further investigations in the coming days and then proceed to surgery and undertake months of rehabilitation of the injured limb. From teammates, club, staff, sponsors and fans a warm good luck and a hug to Cristina Chirichella. Forza Cri!”

A class of 1994, who arrived in 2024 in Conegliano after a two-year stint in Novara, Cristina Chirichella boasts a very rich palmarès with 3 Scudetti, 5 Coppe Italia, 2 Supercoppe italiane, 2 Champions League, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Championship, as well as a European Championship and a VNL with the National Team jersey. Conegliano will have to do without her in the Champions League Final Four, where they will face Vakifbank in the semifinals and one between Eczacibasi and Scandicci in the very final or, if they lose on Saturday, in the match for third place.