The final day of the MEVZA Junior Club Championship delivered intense battles in both the women’s and men’s competitions, with dramatic finals and decisive bronze medal matches bringing the tournament to a close.
In the women’s final, OK Olimpik U19 and Ujpest Torna Egylet U19 played out a five-set thriller that kept the tension high until the very last point. Ujpest opened the match strongly, taking control early in the first set with consistent serving pressure and solid blocking to win 25-18. The Hungarian side carried that momentum into the second set, once again dictating the tempo and capitalising on Olimpik’s errors to secure a 25-22 lead and go up 2-0 in sets.
OK Olimpik responded with determination in the third set. Showing greater aggression in attack and improved defence, the Croatian side quickly built a comfortable advantage and dominated the set 25-12 to get back into the match. The fourth set followed a similar pattern, with Olimpik maintaining composure in the key moments and levelling the match at 2-2 after a 25-22 win.
The deciding fifth set was a true battle of nerves. Both teams traded points deep into the set, with neither able to establish a clear lead. In the end, Ujpest Torna Egylet held their composure in the decisive moments, edging the set 21-19 to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory and the championship title.
Earlier in the day, the women’s third-place match saw CRO Team face PVK Olymp Praha U19. CRO Team started the match confidently, taking the opening set 25-22 with effective play at the net and strong organisation in defence. However, Olymp Praha gradually took control of the match. The Czech side raised their level in the second set, winning it 25-13, before continuing their dominance in the third and fourth sets, which they claimed 25-22 and 25-14 respectively, to secure a 3-1 victory and the bronze medal.
In the men’s final, OK Fužinar Ravne U19 delivered a commanding performance against OK Ribola Kaštela U19. Fužinar Ravne set the tone early, controlling the first set with powerful serving and efficient attacking to win 25-19. The second and third sets were even more one-sided, as the Slovenian side completely dictated play, allowing Ribola Kaštela very few opportunities. Fužinar Ravne cruised through both sets 25-10, 25-10 to seal a convincing 3-0 victory and lift the men’s trophy.
The men’s bronze medal match between VC Brno U19 and Kecskeméti Junior Sport Nonprofit Kft. U19 also ended in straight sets, but not without drama. VC Brno edged a tight first set 25-23 before one of the most remarkable moments of the tournament followed in the second set. Both teams fought relentlessly, saving multiple set points, with Brno eventually prevailing 40-38 after an extraordinary rally of momentum swings. That marathon set proved decisive, as VC Brno closed out the match with a composed 25-17 win in the third set to secure third place.
With the finals completed, the MEVZA Junior Club Championship concluded with high-quality volleyball, memorable individual performances and several matches that underlined the competitive spirit and future potential of junior volleyball across the region.
