Jastrzębski Węgiel secured their spot in the Champions League semifinals after a convincing 3-0 victory over Italy’s Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza (25:22, 26:24, 25:21). The win propels the Polish champions into a semifinal clash with Turkey’s Ziraat Bank Ankara.
The match, held in Jastrzębski Węgiel’s home court, was a real game changer after the Polish team had previously lost 2-3 in an away game, giving the Italian squad a slight advantage. However, the atmosphere in the arena, bolstered by a passionate crowd, proved to be a formidable ally for the home team. An enthusiastic group of Italian fans, despite their spirited support, was drowned out by the local supporters, highlighting the intense interest that had even the front-row seats, typically left empty due to poor visibility, sold out.
The game also featured a duel between two Olympic champions from Tokyo, French setters Benjamin Toniutti and Antoine Brizard, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest. Jastrzębski Węgiel dominated from the start, with Tomasz Fornal leading the charge and a strong finish by Jurij Gladyr sealing the first set. The intensity continued throughout the match, with both teams fighting fiercely. Notable performances included Norbert Huber’s critical blocks and Jean Patry’s aggressive serves and attacks, contributing significantly to the team’s victory.
This achievement marks another significant milestone for Jastrzębski Węgiel, who had previously eliminated the then-Italian champions Cucine Lube Civitanova in the quarterfinals two years ago and reached the finals in the last edition of the Champions League, only to narrowly lose to ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle.
As Jastrzębski Węgiel prepares to face Ziraat Bank Ankara in the semifinals, fans and players alike are hopeful for a repeat of their strong performance and a chance to vie for the championship title.