Austria: Hartberg retain Austrian Supercup with convincing derby victory against Graz

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TSV Raiffeisen Hartberg have started the new Austrian volleyball season with another trophy, successfully defending their Supercup title with a 3-0 victory over UVC Holding Graz. In a Styrian derby at Graz’s Raiffeisen Sportpark, the reigning league champions overcame the hosts, who were also the Austrian Cup holders and organisers of the final, winning 25:22, 25:12, 25:22 in 87 minutes of play.

Hartberg established their authority early, showing greater composure when the sets reached their decisive stages. Graz, featuring several young players promoted from their own youth system, competed well in spells but struggled to match the visitors’ consistency at the key moments. A service error brought the opening set to an end at 25-22, and Hartberg took control in the second before closing out the match with another 25-22 win.
New Hartberg outside hitter Clemens Ecker was the standout performer, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 17 points and earning the MVP award.
The Supercup triumph also marked his first title in Austrian volleyball.

“It is important to start the season with this kind of momentum,” Hartberg head coach Markus Hirczy said. “We needed a little time to get into the game in the first set, but ultimately we implemented our game plan tactically very well. I don’t want to play down the Supercup. It is a great title and we are happy to win it, but the championship is only just beginning.”

Ecker also highlighted the team spirit within the squad and the balance between experienced players and younger talents. “I know many of the players from the national team, and we have a great atmosphere in the team. The experienced and younger players complement each other well. For me, this is my first title in Austria, and it is an incredible honour. You can also see that we are still at the beginning of the season. Winning the first set was important,” he said.

The Supercup victory provides Hartberg with an early boost as they prepare to defend their Austrian league crown. The Austrian Volley League Men season gets underway this weekend, with Graz travelling to face VCA Amstetten NÖ on Sunday. Hartberg will return to action on Tuesday, when they host SK Zadruga Aich/Dob in one of the opening round’s key matches, scheduled for 20:15 local time.

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