13/04/2021 11:00
Rieker UJS KOMARNO and Slávia EU BRATISLAVA crowned Slovakia’s champions
News from the National Federations
Bratislava, Slovakia, April 13, 2021. The club season in Slovakia is almost over. After the hiatus caused in 2020 by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Slovak Volleyball Federation could crown their 2021 national champions. The men’s team of Rieker UJS KOMÁRNO became champions of the extraliga for the first time in history, while the women of Slávia EU BRATISLAVA claimed an all-time record 19th title.
“This season was extremely challenging due to many problems caused by the virus. There were many delays and changes to our original schedule, but we are happy to announce that we have successfully finished both the men’s and women’s national leagues. I congratulate Komárno and Slávia EU on their gold medals,” said Tomáš Singer, Secretary General of the Slovak Volleyball Federation.
Komárno beat TJ Spartak Myjava in four games in a best-of-five final series. It was the second appearance for the club from the south-west part of Slovakia in the finals, and the first in six years. The team mentored by former middle-blocker Robin Pělucha started the play-offs from fourth place in the regular season. For only the second time in history, a team that had placed so low in the regular season could eventually claim the title. “The league was very tight this year. Any of the top six teams could become the champion. We were brave and this is a fantastic success for our club,” said Pělucha. His team beats TJ Slávia Svidník in the quarterfinals and regular season winners VK Mirad UNIPO PREŠOV in the semi-finals.
“We grew as a team during the year. It was a weird season, it was a challenging season, but we had the best form in the end. This title means a lot for our club, they work really hard and I am happy and proud for them,” said the captain of Komárno, František Ogurčák. The experienced spiker, a four-time participant of the CEV EuroVolley with 162 international matches on his resume, won his third national title in Slovakia (previously he had achieved the feat with Matador Púchov in 2002 and 2003) and fifth overall (VK volleyball.cz Kladno, Czech Republic in 2005 and Knack Roeselare, Belgium in 2007). For MYJAVA, coached by former Team Slovakia libero with more than 200 caps Martin Pipa, it was the best season in history, since the club had won three bronze medals before. The four teams of Myjava, Prešov, Košice and Svidník will fight for the Slovakian Cup later this week.
The women’s team of Slávia EU confirmed their dominance in the Slovak Volleyball scene. The team from the capital city won their 19th title and 12th double crown in the same year, adding the national championship to their triumph in the national cup. In the final series, Slávia EU beat in three straight matches Strabag VC Bilíkova Pezinok. “We are very happy. It was a difficult season, and I am sad when I see empty stands. I hope that the situation will be better soon and tribunes can be again full with spectators,” said the coach of Slávia, Michal Matušov.
Team captain Zuzana Šepeľová could not describe her feelings. “I am proud of this team. We fought all year long. It was my dream to win the double crown as a captain and it did eventually happen,” said the 21-year old outside hitter who will fight for a place in the national team coached by Italian Marco Fenoglio.
For Strabag Pezinok, who had won the Slovakian Cup last season, it was their first appearance in the league finals. “The silver medal is good for us. Our form was off balance during the season, but we played good in the play-offs,” said the coach of Pezinok Eva Koseková, mother of the setter and captain of the Slovak women’s national team, Barbora.
Pictures courtesy of TASR News Agency
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