FAKEL NOVY URENGOY – CALZEDONIA VERONA 2-3 (20-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-21, 6-15) FAKEL NOVY URENGOY: Vlasov 12, Likhosherstov 1, Kolodinskiy 5, Shipotko, Iakovlev 8, Tiurin 15, Shishkin (L), Volkov 21, Bezrukov, Tokhtash, Kliuka 17. DNP Bogdan. Coach. Chutchev.
CALZEDONIA VERONA: Zingel 14, Kovacevic 17, Pesaresi (L), Gitto 1, Lecat, Spirito, Baranowicz 3, Starovic 16, Bellei, Sander 20, Anzani 10. DNP Bucko. Coach. Giani.
A thousand supporters, including the town mayor, gathered in front of the giant screen at the PalaOlimpia arena. Thousands more in front of their Tv sets, all with their hearts in Siberia. In the end, they all jumped for joy as Verona won at the tie-break again and lift the Challenge Cup aloft. A memorable triumph on its full debut in a European competition.
Giani’s men did an excellent job in the blocking area to contain the trio composed of Tiurin, Volkov and Kliuka. In the meantime, Baranowicz combined brilliantly with its spikers, and five of them finished in double figures. Led by an outstanding Starovic, Verona managed to avoid the Golden set by dominating the tie-break from the first points (15-6).
Italy’s last victory in the competition was back in 2013 with Piacenza. Out of nine editions, this is the fifth triumph for an Italian club. Modena had won the first one when it was launched in 2008. Before that the third European Cup was the CEV Cup.
Final first leg
Calzedonia Verona (ITA) – Fakel Novi Urengoy (RUS) 3-2 (25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 23-25, 15-13)
CEV CUP PAST WINNERS
1980/81 A.S. Cannes (FRA)
1981/82 Starlift (NED)
1982/83 Panini Modena
1983/84 Panini Modena
1984/85 Panini Modena
1985/86 Kutiba Falconara
1986/87 Enermix Milano
1987/88 Automobilist Leningrado (URSS)
1988/89 Automobilist Leningrado (URSS)
1989/90 Moerser Moers (GER)
1990/91 Sisley Treviso
1991/92 Maxicono Parma
1992/93 Sisley Treviso
1993/94 Ignis Padova
1994/95 Cariparma Volleyball Parma
1995/96 Alpitour Traco Cuneo
1996/97 Area Ravenna Volley
1997/98 Sisley Treviso
1998/99 Iveco Palermo
1999/00 Piaggio Roma
2000/01 Lube Banca Marche Macerata
2001/02 Noicom Brebanca Cuneo
2002/03 Sisley Treviso
2003/04 Kerakoll Modena
2004/05 Lube Banca Marche Macerata
2005/06 Lube Banca Marche Macerata
2006/07 Fakel Novy Urengoi (RUS)
CHALLENGE CUP PAST WINNERS
2007/08 Cimone Modena
2008/09 Arkas Izmir (TUR)
2009/10 RPA-LuigiBacchi.it Perugia
2010/11 Lube Banca Marche Macerata
2011/12 Tytan AZS Czestochowa (POL)
2012/13 Copra Elior Piacenza
2013/14 Fenerbahce Grundig Istanbul (TUR)
2014/15 Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad (SRB)
2015/16 Calzedonia Verona
