The Centurions of Narbonne became European champions on Tuesday evening, winning the golden set against Ankara (3-1, 21-19), in the return match of the final of the Challenge Cup, the third European Volleyball Cup.
For their first participation in a European Cup, the Narbonnais achieved a masterstroke. This final was however badly embarked. In the first leg, in Turkey, Narbonne lost 3-0 in the Turkish capital and was not allowed to concede more than one set on the return or risk seeing his dream fade away.
An unbreathable gold set
Winner three sets to one, Guillermo Falasca’s team then won the right to play a golden set, winning 21-19 against Argentinian central Nicolas Zerba, on their fifth match point… after saving two balls from match.
“I don’t know if I can believe it, if I have the right to believe it,” whispered President Jérémie Ribourel after the meeting. We were told that was not possible, and we did. I believe that bringing back a European title to Narbonne is a source of immense pride. »
Eighth European title for French men’s volleyball
This is the eighth European title for a French club after the victories of Paris (2001) and Tours (2005) in the Champions League, Cannes (1999), Paris (2000 and 2014) and Tours (2017) in the Coupe de the CEV and Cannes (1981) in the same Challenge Cup (formerly called… Coupe de la CEV).
Women on their side brought back three European Cups to France: two Champions Leagues with Cannes (2002, 2003) and a CEV Cup with Villebon (2003).