Luxembourg, March 31, 2021. It was only a week ago when the Italians from Allianz Powervolley Milano managed to conclude an impressive European season with a much desired CEV Challenge Cup Trophy after defeating the Turkish side of Ziraat Bankasi SK ANKARA in both matches of the Finals with an identical 3-2 score.
With so many extremely valuable players on the roster, there was one that really stood out across the Finals, Frenchman Jean Patry who was selected as the Most Valuable Player.
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The Patry on the cake
Jean was undeniably an outstanding player for Milano in the Finals at the end of a good run on the way to getting to that point, having scored 62 points / 3.87 set average, in just 4 matches (16 sets) that placed him tied on 5th in the overall scorers standings and 3rd for the final stage of the competition.
In the final match alone, Jean Patry contributed 26 points to his team's win, with 10 break points, the closest to him being Wouter ter Maat from the Turkish side, who finished on 21, a performance that might have tipped the balance in his favour and brought him the MVP title.
Here is how he did it!
The 24 year-old Frenchman is at his first season with Allianz Powervolley Milano and only his second season in Italy after making the move from Montpellier UC in France, where he had spent six years. Winning the CEV Challenge Cup is his only major trophy to date, managing however an impressive silver medal with the French national team at the FIVB Nations League played in Lille, France in 2018. Back in January of 2020, Jean played a leading role as France secured their ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the CEV qualifier held in Berlin where he top scored for his side in the semi with Slovenia as well as in the final with hosts Germany.
With Allianz Powervolley Milano in the playoff of the Italian Championship, Jean Patry and his teammates will be looking to build on their momentum for a strong finish before they head off to their national teams for what will be an intense summer, culminating with postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the EuroVolley Men.