Six teams celebrated as national volleyball champions in Albania, Croatia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain over the weekend
Ireland crowned its national volleyball cup winners on Saturday and Sunday
ALBANIA
After losing the first two matches in Albania’s best-of-five men’s championship series, Partizani Tirana achieved a complete turnaround, defeating Tirana in the next three matches to claimed their 16th national title. In Saturday’s deciding match, Partizani achieved a 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 15-25, 25-21) victory to triumph as national champions. In the semi-finals, Partizani achieved two victories over Vllaznia Shkoder, while Tirana knocked out Erzeni Shijak by 2-1 in wins.
Partizani Tirana’s team roster
CROATIA
Both the women’s and the men’s volleyball champions of Croatia emerged over the weekend. Both of the two final playoffs were decided after four matches and, on both occasions, Mladost Zagreb celebrated the title.
On Saturday, the best-of-five women’s championship series ended with the podium decided. Mladost had edged ahead in the playoff against Dinamo Zagreb after a 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-19) sweep of the first match at home on 20 April, a narrow 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-27, 25-20, 15-13) away loss in the second on 26 April, and a 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-11) home win in the third on 1 May. The fourth match proved crucial. Mladost claimed a close 3-2 (19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-12, 15-11), win and claim their seventh consecutive and 19th overall title. The club also has five Yugoslavian title in their trophy case. In the semi-finals, Mladost knocked out Kelteks Karlovac, while Dinamo beat Marina Kastela.
Mladost Zagreb’s team roster
The men’s final series followed a similar plot. Mladost produced a 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 18-25, 25-21) home win over Mursa Osijek in the first game on 25 April, but the opponents leveled it off with a 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19) home win on 18 April. Another four-setter, 3-1 (25-16, 25-11, 18-25, 25-23) at home on 2 May, gave Mladost the lead again with a 2-1 overall scoreline. A five-set battle in Osijek on Sunday ended 3-2 (23-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11) Mladost’s way and they celebrated as national champions for the sixth consecutive and 23rd overall time. They are also 17-time Yugoslavian champions. Earlier in April, Mladost swept their semi-final series against Centrometal Crecan in two straight-set wins, while Mursa knocked out Ribola Kastela.
Mladost Zagreb’s team roster
IRELAND
The Blanchardstown National Indoor Arena in Dublin hosted the women’s and the men’s national cup finals on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Santry Calypso Dublin triumphed in the women’s competition. After a nail-biting 3-2 (25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 16-14) win over University College Dublin, they claimed the trophy for the third time in history. Santry’s middle blocker Viridiana Rosal of Mexico was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). In February’s semi-finals, Santry and UCD achieved straight-set victories over Gardians Dublin and SETU Carlow, respectively.
On Sunday, Aer Lingus Dublin lifted the men’s trophy after a 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 14-25, 25-17) victory over Dalkey Devils Dublin. It was the 10th national cup crown in the club’s showcase. In their semi-final in February, Aer Lingus produced a straight-set victory over Galway Claregalway, while Dalkey managed a five-set win over University College Dublin.
Aer Lingus Dublin’s team roster
NETHERLANDS
Defending women’s champions Friso Sneek collected the 12th Dutch national title in the club’s history after closing the final series with a five-set away win over De Hollandse Pot Enzo VV Utrecht on Saturday. The team from Utrecht produced two straight-set wins over Apollo 8 Borne in the semi-finals, and Friso Sneek advanced to the finals following their win in a 15-8 golden set against Draisma Dynamo Apeldoorn.
Friso Sneek’s team roster
PORTUGAL
SL Benfica Lisbon and Sporting CP Lisbon went head to head in the men’s volleyball final. The best-of-five championship playoff was pushed to five games before Benfica could celebrate their fifth consecutive and 12th overall national title. AA Espinho claimed the bronze after beating Leixoes Matosinhos in the third-place series by 2-1 in wins.
SL Benfica Lisbon’s team roster
SPAIN
Defending Spanish men’s champions Guaguas Las Palmas picked up their eighth national title on Saturday after closing the best-of-five final playoff against Grupo Herce Soria by 3-1 in wins. In the semi-finals, Guaguas Las Palmas achieved two wins over Melilla to claim a spot in the final, while Grupo Herce beat Unicaja Costa de Almeria, also in two matches.
Guaguas’s 38-year-old setter Miguel Angel De Amo was named MVP of the finals. On the Dream Team, he was joined by opposite Wallyson Souza (Guaguas), outside hitters Jose Villalba (Grupo Herce) and Paolo Zonca (Guaguas), middle blockers Fabian Flores (Grupo Herce) and Martin Ramos (Guaguas), and libero Alejandro San Martín (Grupo Herce).
Guaguas Las Palmas’s team roster