Scudetto to Perugia, Civitanova falls in four sets in Game 3
Sir Susa Scai Perugia climbs to the roof of Italy, imposing in a comeback over Cucine Lube Civitanova again in Game 3 of the Scudetto Finals with a score of 3-1 (25-27, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20) at the Pala Barton Energy in Pian di Massiano. In Umbria, Lube brought home a struggling first set and dominated the second, jamming in the final, however, paving the way for Sir’s upset. Among the hosts Colaci closed as MVP in the last league match of his career, Ben Tara (18 points), Plotnytskyi (14) and Semeniuk (13) churned out the decisive points. The red-and-whites don’t stand idly by and scare their rivals with a great contribution from the setters: Nikolov is the top scorer (25 points), Bottolo (16) and Loeppky (15) make their case, but they don’t stop the Italian champions.
The first partial (25-27), won by Lube at the third set ball, immediately ignites the sports battle. Perugia attacked strongly (54%), but squandered a five-point lead (17-12) suffering from the Cucino serve (4 aces). Nikolov (6 points with 50%) finds the right gaps, Bottolo (6 points with 3 aces) surprises the rivals. Second set (26-24) rocambolic. At the start Solé lands badly and gives way to Loser. Lube surges (14-20) and builds three set balls (21-24) limiting Sir’s comeback tied to Dzavoronok’s entry. After a Civitanova serve out, Ben Tara gets on nine meters and turns the tide leading Sir to the comeback with 70% attack. Semeniuk closes.
In the third set (25-22) Lube attacks with 55% against Sir’s 43% and signs 3 walls, but Ben Tara (5 points including 2 on serve) and Semeniuk (5 with 1 ace) manage to thwart the great work of Nikolov (7 points with 70%). In the fourth set (25-20) Sir immediately shifts into gear, propelled by an ecstatic arena. Nikolov, author of 8 points, is the last to give up, but Perugia closes it and the scudetto goes to Umbria.
With this success, Sir Susa Scai Perugia brings to an end a series dominated from start to finish. Already in Game 1, played on April 30 at the Pala Barton Energy in front of 4,951 spectators in a sold-out arena, the Block Devils had won 3-0, with Simone Giannelli awarded MVP and Ben Tara in double figures with 15 points. On that occasion Roberto Russo had also contributed 11 points and 3 winning walls, while Plotnytskyi had stopped at 11. The only one to reach double digits among the Marche ranks had been Nikolov himself, with 10 points: a sign of how the Bulgarian had carried Lube’s entire offensive series on his shoulders, without, however, being able to reverse the inertia.
The one staged between Sir Perugia and Cucine Lube Civitanova was the sixth Scudetto Final in the history between the two teams, an absolute record in Italian volleyball. A confrontation that has been enriched over time with stories, regrets and rivalries, with numerous protagonists who have worn both jerseys. Among the most representative ones is Marko Podrascanin, the only former player on the court in this series: the Serbian center, in his second cycle with Lube after experiences in Civitanova (2008-2016) and Perugia (2016-2020), boasts four Scudetti in his career, including two with the Marche players. A final, in short, loaded with history and cross ties, which was able to provide great entertainment once again.
Lube’s path to this final had been of a high level, however. In the playoff quarterfinals the Marche had eliminated Itas Trentino in three games, with Nikolov the absolute protagonist already in that series: in game 1 away at the BTS Arena the Bulgarian had signed 26 points as MVP, while in game 2 at the Eurosuole Forum he had confirmed his state of grace with 19 points at 65% attack. In the semifinals Civitanova had then overcome Rana Verona 3-1, with Loeppky MVP of the last act and Bottolo decisive at the wall. It was a ride that had fueled the cucinieri’s Scudetto ambitions, before Sir extinguished any hopes.
For Perugia, however, this title represents the confirmation of a winning cycle that has few equals in the recent history of Italian volleyball. The Block Devils had already won the CEV Champions League in 2025, with Simone Giannelli awarded MVP of the competition, and this season they had also been protagonists in Europe, exiting only in the quarterfinals of the top continental competition. The 2026 Scudetto is thus the crowning achievement of an extraordinary season for the Umbrian club, which can celebrate in front of its audience another chapter in a history destined to remain in the memory of Italian volleyball.
