All-Italian fiery battle to deliver nail-biting Super Finals

Since 2000, there have been three all-Italian deciders for the trophy in the CEV Champions League Women. This season will bring the fourth one, as A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano and Allianz Vero Volley Milano will lock horns in the Super Finals on 5 May in Antalya.

There have been plenty of challengers, but the two Italian sides have been the most consistent in the competition, with the European premium competition being clinched by either an Italian or a Turkish side for the ninth season in a row.

This time around, it will be either Conegliano, which are in the last act of the European premium competition for the fifth time, or Allianz Vero Volley Milano, which are in the position to battle for the trophy for the first time in history.

Each side has eliminated a Turkish side in the semi-finals, with Conegliano taking two wins, 3:2 and 3:1 against Eczacıbaşı Dynavit Istanbul, while Allianz Vero Volley Milano won the first leg against Fenerbahçe Opet Istanbul, only to drop the second match, 1:3, as the second ticket to the Super Finals was decided via a golden set, which Milano took, 15:11.

The path towards the Super Finals was arduous for Allianz Vero Volley Milano, which won the CEV Challenge Cup Women in the 2018/19 season and the 2020/21 CEV Cup Women, building their roster towards a bigger challenge, with a statement of intent made last summer, when they signed opposite Paola Egonu, a three-time MVP of the CEV Champions League Women.

However, this season has not been entirely plain sailing for Milano, which finished third in the competitive Italian league, being eliminated in the semi-finals by Savino del Bene Scandicci, with two clear 3:0 wins.

On the other hand, Milano have been consistent in the European premium competition, winning eight of the 10 matches played so far, with losses against VakıfBank Istanbul and Fenerbahçe Opet Istanbul blemishing their record. However, they stood their ground in crunch moments and delivered their best performances under pressure, like in the golden set against Fenerbahçe Opet Istanbul, when Paola Egonu took over and Milano took a 15:11 win.

“We really had to fight to be here. And I really like the way our team fought. And we were really like as a team. I want this feeling will come back again because it's a bit where what we were missing on the last part of our season and on the Italian league, but I am sure that we can get there,” said Milano’s French outside hitter Héléna Cazaute.

But Allianz Vero Volley Milano will need to break the losing streak against Conegliano, which have been impressive against their Super Finals opponents in the last matches. Not only A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano have won the last six matches against Milano, they have lost only five sets in those matches.

Moving the goalposts, Conegliano have won 13 of the last 15 matches against Milano, which really makes the recently-crowned Italian champions the favourites for this tie, played in Antalya, with the trophy on the line.

Conegliano have had a magnificent season so far, winning all 10 matches in the European premium competition to secure a Super Finals berth. Throughout all competitions, Conegliano have won 47 out of the 49 matches they played, conceding only two losses, one against Novara, 2:3, in the semi-finals of the Italian league and another 2:3 one in the final against Scandicci.

“Amazing season for us. This is my first season playing in the Champions League and we are in the Super Finals. I am happy to be part of this team and watch the greatness happen and be a part of it. I think it's like everyone's volleyball dream to just keep taking that step up. So I'm super happy with this season. And I just can't wait to see what happens at the end,” says American outside hitter Khalia Lanier.

Conegliano will also hope to break the curse of the last act in the European premium competition, as the Italian side lost three out of the four played, in 2016/17 against VakifBank, in 2018/19 against Novara and two seasons ago, once again facing VakifBank Istanbul.