Poles replaced the Russians at the top of Europe. Domination that continues

Looking at the history of the Champions League and its predecessor, i.e. the European Cup of National Champions (1960-2000), in the table of all time, the games are dominated by Russian clubs, or formerly derived from the USSR. Counting since 1960, the first winner has the most triumphs, i.e. CSKA Moscow – thirteen.

From more contemporary stories, in the second place among the best champions league is Zenit Kazan. A club where he played in the past, among others Wilfredo Leon or Bartosz Bednorz, has six titles in his achievements. The podium of all time is complemented by the Italian trio: Modena Volley, Sisley Treviso and Trentino Volley.

The first of the clubs had its great time in the 1990s, adding four wins and stopping there. The club from Treviso last triumphed in 2006, and Trentino – this is the latest story, because of the last season. The club under the name ITAS Trentino beat in three sets Polish champion from Jastrzębie-Zdrój.

Domination of ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. The memorable “Polish final” in Turin

Teams derived from Russia are currently withdrawn from all international games under the aegis of FIVB and CEV. This is the result of a bestial attack on Ukraine through the army under the baton of Vladimir Putin, at the end of February 2022. The war behind our eastern border has been going on continuously for over three years, absorbing, among others innocent civilians.

Reality without clubs from Russia in the Champions League changed the balance of power in Europe. Polish bands jumped in the place of Russian giants. And it does not diminish the clubs derived from PlusLiga. Poles most often competed with Italy, the presence of teams from the Apennine Peninsula, it is also an unwritten tradition of LM finals.

When for the last time a team from outside the Terceget: Italy, Poland and Russia reached for the victory in the Champions League? You have to really look deeply, going back to the 2006/07 season. At that time, German VFB Friedrichshafen turned out to be the best in the finals played in Moscow. The layout of the final was sensational, because the Germans played for the cup with the French Tours VB. In the “Final of Consolation”, the giants faced, at least those on paper, i.e. the host Dinamo Moscow and Italian Lube Banca Marche Macerata.

The LM final of 2023 had a special conone for Polish volleyball fans. At that time, in the beautiful facility of Pala Alpitour in Turin, the matter of gold was settled by clubs from Kędzierzyn-Koźle and Jastrzębie-Zdrój. Therefore, there was a replay a dozen or so days ago, when Zaksa and Jastrzębski Węgiel played for PlusLiga’s gold. It was similar in the case of the Polish Cup – in a word – there was no competition at the time that could get closer to this duo.

Although Zaksa was heavily picked up, and her decline seemed to be a matter of time, which showed the next season 2023/24, Kędzierzyn residents broke up to the battle for gold. In the presence of over 10,000 fans in the stands, we watched a high -level volleyball show – especially considering the intensity of emotions. It started 1: 0 for Jastrzębian, then 2: 1 in sets in favor of Zaksa, a murderous tip and 30:28 for Jastrzębski Węgiel and TIE-BREAK ended 15:12 for Kędzierzynians. ZAKSA won the Champions League for the third time in a row.

On this occasion, we recommend texts from that event, it was present in Turin, from where directly reported events related to the finals of the volleyball champions league.

It started from 2021 and winning team of coach Nikola Grbicia. Then Aleksander Śliwka was elected MVP of the final battle, and itas Trentino left in the defeated field of Poland (3: 1). A year later? The replay of the finalists set, this time Zaksa won even more confidently (3: 0), and Kamil Semeniuk was not equal. The team was led by coach Gheorghe Cretu. Tuomas Sammelvuo was the third coach with ZAKSA gold in LM. Fin with the band the last Polish victory in the Champions League volleyball, and MVP was chosen then by David Smith.

A year later, Jastrzębski Węgiel played again in the final, but Turkish Antalya turned out to be happy for Itas. The club from Trentino, after two defeats in a row with ZAKSA and absence in the finals in the capital of Piedmont, got a win, in three sets. ITAS triumphed at the first time since 2011.

Polish places on the PEMK / Champions League volleyball podium

• 1960 – AZS AWF Warsaw (3rd place)

• 1963 – Legia Warsaw (3)

• 1968 – Legia Warsaw (3)

• 1973 – Resovia Rzeszów (2)

• 1976 – Resovia Rzeszów (3)

• 1978 – Flame Milowice (1)

• 1979 – Flame Milowice (3)

• 1981 – Gwardia Wrocław (3)

• 2003-Mostostal Kędzierzyn-Koźle (3)

• 2008 – PGE Skra Bełchatów (3)

• 2010 – PGE Skra Bełchatów (3)

• 2012 – PGE Skra Bełchatów (2)

• 2014 – Jastrzębski Węgiel (3)

• 2019 – PGE Skra Bełchatów (3)

• 2021-ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (1)

• 2022-Grupa Azoty Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle (1)

• 2023-Grupa Azoty Zaksa Kędzierzyn-Koźle (1)

• 2023 – Jastrzębski Węgiel (2)

• 2024 – Jastrzębski Węgiel (2)

Will JSW JSW Jastrzębski Węgiel manage to reverse the finals card and – a bit like the National Cup – to get their time at the finish of the 2024/25 season? In their ranks, the fourth PlusLiga team has even Łukasz Kaczmarek. The attacker, who moved to Jastrzębie-Zdrój from Zaksa, already has three wins in the Champions League in his achievements. The “animal” knows how to win the finals.

However, it should be remembered that before the final, hawks must win … semi -final. And the first Medal in the history of the club also has a snoring, the first medal in Jurassic knights. Regardless of the results, one thing is certain – in the fifth LM final in a row – the Polish team will definitely play. No other country in Europe in recent years can boast of such a series. And this once again confirms how special times for Polish volleyball in the male edition, speech.

Final Four of the Volleyball Champions League. Where and when to watch matches?

The competition for the title of the best club team of the Old Continent in the 2024/25 season will start this Friday (i.e. May 16). Atlas Arena in Łódź will be the place of the Final Four of the Champions League. In the first semi -finals, Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia (Italy) – Halkbank Ankara (Türkiye) will play. Beginning of the meeting at 20:00.

A day later, i.e. on Saturday (May 17), the “Polish” semi -finals will take place, in which two -time LM finalists, from 2024 and 2023, and Polish runners -up – also from the last two seasons. The match JSW Jastrzębski Węgiel – Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie will start at 14:45.

On Sunday (i.e. May 18) there is a match for a bronze and gold medal. The “Consolation final” starts at 16:00, and from 20:05 he plays for gold. All matches can be watched on Polsat Sport 1. In the case of online broadcasts, they will be available, among others through Polsat Box Go.