Denmark: Marienlyst and Holte lift 2022/23 Danish Cup for men and women

2 min read

4 February 2023 Ivan

Marienlyst-Fortuna and Holte IF are the Danish Volleyball Cup champions in the men’s and women’s competitions, in the 2022/23 season.

Marienlyst-Fortuna took their 10th “Pokalen Herrer”, Danish Men’s Cup, but the first in five years.
After an exciting first day at the Final Four in Århus, where both final contenders had to go out in a fifth and decisive set in order to claim the final ticket, Marienlyst faced VK Vestsjælland on the court for the Grand Finale. If Marienlyst have a long history of finals and F4 appearances, this was the first time that Vestsjælland took part in a decider, and in fact Marienlyst prevailed in just three sets: 25:22, 25:22, and 25:16.
Sigurd Neltoft Varming, who also ended the game as top scorer with 17 points, was named MVP, and Ævarr Freyr Birgisson, who made 73% reception (15 digs, 20% perfect), led the new trophy holders.
American Daniel Matheney was the
most prolific player on the losing side with 14 points, while Daniel Gordon, who’s playing assistant coach, recorded a 71% reception (17 digs, 24% perfect).

After Friday’s semifinals, it was clear that this year’s Cup final for Pokalen Kvinder, the Women’s competition, would be a true copy of last year’s final, in which Brøndby VK and Holte IF faced each other. The road to the final in Århus was hard for the defending cup champions from Brøndby, who had to go out in a five-setter against DHV Odense in the semifinal. And, in final, the Copenhagen-based side fell to Holte in straight sets in a duel that was on the schedule after the men’s final: 22:25, 26:28, and 11:25.
Frida Brinck was the top scorer for Holte with 17 points, while Nora Møllgaard had 73% reception (11 digs, 45% perfect). Mette Breuning scored 16 for Brøndby.
The new titleholders brought back the trophy into their showcases after a one-year break, and it was their 16th overall triumph in the competition!