Champions League: Perugia first finalist - Halkbank defeated in straight sets!

Champions League: Perugia first finalist – Halkbank defeated in straight sets!

3 min read

16 May 2025 Ivan

Sir Susa Vim Perugia booked first spot in 2024/25 CEV Champions League final with a commanding 3-0 (25:23, 25:23, 25:22) win over Halkbank Ankara at Łódź’s Atlas Arena on Friday evening.
After years of falling just short, Perugia finally broke their semifinal curse with a powerful performance, being better above all in decisive moments of the game, rejecting all rivals’s attempt to re-open the game.
It’s their first final appearance since 2017!
Japanese superstar Yuki Ishikawa led all scorers with 20 points through 59% in attack, 1 block and 2 aces, while his teammate Wassim Ben Tara added 14 including 1 ace, 1 block and 63% in attack.
Perugia also delivered 10 blocks, five only in the first set!
Halkbank’s most prolific player was Yoandy Leal with 13 points.
Though the Turkish side started strong in each set, Perugia’s sharp attack and steady nerves saw them take control throughout the game.
In final, they’ll face the winner of Saturday’s semi-final between Jastrzębski Węgiel and Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie in a thrilling all-polish clash!
On the other hand, Halkbank Ankara lost the chance for their second final in club’s history and will try to finish the Final Four in Łódź fighting in the bronze medal match.

“Every set was very balanced, for sure they had some mistakes with the serve, but I think we were good because we were able point-to-point, thinking about the present, because for the final it is also important to be present on the court,” said Perugia’s setter and captain, setter Simone Giannelli.

“I do not have the obsession of winning the title, but we are here, it is not easy to be here in the Final Four. I am very happy, because it was not easy, we faced a good team, Ankara, they have very good players, we played good, we enjoyed the match and now we have another final, so I am very proud,” he added.

“The match against Halkbank was very tough, we are happy with the win. We knew it was going to be a difficult match, and it was. We won 3:0, but we were very close, so we are very happy to play a final,” said middle blocker, Agustin Loser.

So far, Perugia have been a powerhouse in this edition of CEV Champions League, delivering some excellent matches and dropping a single one in their first nine, a 2-3 home defeat against the same Halkbank Ankara they eliminated in the Final Four, in the last match of the 4th round. However, they had already secured first place in their pool!

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🏐| 2024/25 CEV Champions League | SEMIFINALS 📍Atlas Arena Łódź

👉🏼Friday May 16, 2025
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia (ITA) – Halkbank Ankara (TUR) 3-0 (25:23, 25:23, 25:22)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH