Clash of Polish Titans: Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE vs. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel in CEV Champions League SuperFinals
Preview
Once again, the CEV Champions League Super Final brings together two powerhouse teams from the same country. This time, it's an all-Polish affair as Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE and JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel prepare to battle it out for the ultimate European club volleyball glory. As the stage is set for this high-stakes showdown, let's delve into the facts and the intriguing history that surrounds these two fierce rivals.
This marks the second occasion in the history of the CEV Champions League Final where two teams from the same country will lock horns. The last time this happened was in the 2003/04 season when Russia's Lokomotiv BELGOROD triumphed over Iskra ODINTSOVO in straight sets. Now, it's Poland's turn to witness an all-domestic clash of titans.
Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE enters the SuperFinals with an impressive record against JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel in previous Champions League encounters. They have emerged victorious in all four previous meetings, asserting their dominance with a series of strong performances. In the 2017/18 Play-Offs, Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE secured 3-1 and 3-0 victories, and in last season's Semi-Finals, they claimed 3-0 and 3-2 wins.
Their track record against Polish opposition is equally impressive, winning seven out of eight matches, with their only setback coming in a 2-3 loss against Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE in the return leg of this season's Play-Offs, following a convincing 3-0 win in the first leg.
On the other side of the net, JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel has had a more challenging time in recent encounters with Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE. They have suffered defeat in their last four matches against their compatriots, all at the hands of their Super Final opponents.
The rivalry between these two teams extends beyond the Champions League. As defending Polish league champions, Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE had showcased their dominance over JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel in the regular stage of this season's Polish PlusLiga, claiming victories of 3-2 and 3-1. However, in the Final, Jastrzebski absolutely dominated the court, winning the title in the minimum amount of matches, three, and in a fashion that would make even the most dedicated Zaksa fan be very nervous about the upcoming SuperFinals encounter.
Adding further intensity to their rivalry, Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE and JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel have already contested the final of the Polish Super Cup and the Polish Cup in this campaign. JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel emerged triumphant in a thrilling five-set encounter in the Super Cup, claiming victory with a final set score of 15-13 back in October 2022. However, Grupa Azoty KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE responded strongly and lifted the Polish Cup after a commanding straight-sets win over their rivals in February, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.