Allianz Milan in triumph, second Challenge Cup in the showcase

Allianz Milano in just one hour and eight minutes won its second Challenge Cup. In fact, the fate of the match was already sealed even before: the first two sets, closed 25-16 and 25-19, steered a rarely balanced match, with the team of president Lucio Fusaro and coach Roberto Piazza determined to lift a European trophy in a season heavily marked by injuries.

Lindemans’ 9 walls (against the opponents’ 5) were not enough to try to reopen the accounts after the 0-3 first leg. Allianz made the difference in attack (61% positivity vs. 42%) and serving, with 7 aces vs. none. Reggers finished with 18 points, Otsuka with 10, while among the guests no one reached double figures.

The spectacle, as often happens on big occasions, was not only on the court but also in the stands: more than 5 thousand spectators and important media coverage, with two main partners such as Mediaset and Sky broadcasting the event. A success also made possible by the careful work and attention to every detail of the organizing team led by general manager Fabio Lini.

The awards ceremony celebrated the event with the presentation of plaques and awards to the organizers and match officials, as well as prizes for the finalist teams. Special moment for the MVP title, awarded to Ferre Reggers and handed over by former Allianz Milano captain Matteo Piano, to the applause of the audience. Then it was the turn of the protagonists on the court: the silver medals to the runner-up team were presented by Guy Juwet and William Aimar, and the gold medals to the winners by Leonel Salgueiro together with Massimo Sala.

The ceremony closed with the most awaited moment, the presentation of the CEV Challenge Cup by the two vice presidents of CEV, sealing an evening destined to remain in the club’s history.