CEV Cup: Lüneburg down Maaseik in four sets, Piacenza won a tie break marathon vs. Ljubljana in first leg of Semifinals

SVG Lüneburg moved a big step towards 2025/26 CEV Volleyball Cup final after a composed 1-3 (25:15, 20:25, 22:25, 24:26) away win over Greenyard Maaseik, while Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza claimed a dramatic five-set home victory against ACH Volley Ljubljana in the other semifinal clash, 3-2 (30:28, 25:20, 27:29, 20:25, 15:4).
The German side Lüburg won in Belgium bouncing back after losing the opening set. The hosts, in fact, started strong and claimed the first set 25-15, but the rivals quickly found their rhythm, with Axel Juul Larsen and Ethan Champlin who changed the momentum in the second set to level the match.
Lüneburg stayed in control from there and never looked back, taking the third set 25-22 and edging a tight fourth set 26-24 despite late pressure from Maaseik.
Daniel Gruvaeus led the winners with 19 points, followed by Champlin with 16 and Larsen with 13.
For Maaseik, Sil Meijs and Pierre Perin both finished with 19 points. Lüneburg also made the difference at the net, outblocking their opponents 12-9, and now need just two sets in second leg to reach the final.
Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, Italy’s Piacenza defeated Slovenian Champions ACH Volley Ljubljana 3-2 after a long and intense match.
The hosts recovered from a slow start in the first set, saving several set points before closing it 30-28, and then took the second set as well.
Ljubljana fought back to win the third and fourth sets to force a tie-break, but the deciding set was one-sided, ended with an embarrassing 15-4.
Piacenza dominated, with Efe Mandiraci leading from the serve line during a decisive run to seal a 15-4 finish.
He also was the top scorer with 23 points, while Alessandro Bovolenta added 21 and Josè Gutierrez and Robertlandy Simon scored 17 each.
For Ljubljana, a great Tonček Stern was the most prolific player with an impressive record of 33 points.
Both ties will be decided in the return matches on April 2, with Lüneburg in a strong position and Piacenza needing another win to avoid a potential (and dangerous) golden set in Slovenia.

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🏆| 2025/26 CEV Cup | Semifinals

FIRST LEG

👉🏼Wednesday March 25, 2026
📍Steengoed Arena Maaseik
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Greenyard Maaseik (BEL) – SVG Lüneburg (GER) 1-3 (25:15, 20:25, 22:25, 24:26)
📍PalaBanca Piacenza
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza (ITA) – ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) 3-2 (30:28, 25:20, 27:29, 20:25, 15:4)

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SECOND LEG

Thursday April 2, 2026
📍LKH Arena Lüneburg
• 19.00 (Local Time) | SVG Lüneburg (GER) – Greenyard Maaseik (BEL) 3-2 (27:25, 28:26, 23:25, 23:25, 16:14)
📍Sportna Dvorana Tivoli Ljubljana
• 20.00 (Local Time) | ACH Volley Ljubljana (SLO) – Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza (ITA) 1-3 (19:25, 22:25, 25:13, 22:25)

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