Italian volleyball powerhouse Imoco Volley Conegliano has once again proven its dominance on the world stage, securing a commanding straight-set victory over Tianjin Bohai Bank to claim the FIVB Club World Championship title in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Conegliano showcased their exceptional talent and teamwork, defeating Tianjin with set scores of 25-21, 25-15, and 25-20. This triumph marks the Italian club’s third world title in just four appearances at the prestigious competition. Meanwhile, Tianjin’s impressive runner-up finish represents the best performance by a team from the Chinese mainland in the history of the event.
The match began with Tianjin taking an early lead midway through the first set. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum, allowing Conegliano to rally and take the set 25-21. In the second set, Tianjin struggled to counter Conegliano’s powerful jump serves and cohesive offense, falling behind quickly and losing the set 25-15. The Italian team continued to control the pace of the game in the third set, sealing their victory with a 25-20 finish.
Swedish star Isabelle Haak, playing as the opposite for Conegliano, was a standout performer throughout the tournament and was deservedly named the Most Valuable Player. The 25-year-old led a group of seven exceptional players honored as part of the tournament’s symbolic “Dream Team” during the awarding ceremony. Chinese volleyball fans also celebrated as star spiker Zhu Ting and Tianjin captain Li Yingying, who contributed 12 points in the final, were both named “Best Outside Hitters.”
Reflecting on the match, Zhu Ting expressed her pride in the team’s performance: “No matter which side wins, this final was a fantastic match. I think everyone did a great job. I’m happy that our team from the Chinese mainland has improved so much and played impressively. Although the result determined the champions, I think everyone is a winner.”
Conegliano’s victory solidifies their status as a dominant force in women’s volleyball, while Tianjin’s historic run provides a promising outlook for the sport’s development on the Chinese mainland. Fans around the world can look forward to more thrilling encounters between these top-tier teams in future competitions.
Reference(s):
Italy's Conegliano lifts Club World Championship trophy in Hangzhou
cgtn.com
