Two years on – twelve months ago, there was a minor setback in a quarter-final against the Turkish side from Yasar University, who, curiously, finished fifth after being knocked out by the Due Torri – the University of Bologna is back on top of Europe. It’s happening in Salerno, where the EUSA European University Championships are taking place. It’s happening in women’s volleyball, where the Alma Mater Studiorum, with the exception of 2025, has reigned supreme since the start of this decade.
Yet it is no easy feat, because in Salerno, on the other side of the court, stand the Lithuanians from Vytautas Magnus University. Whilst the CUS team staged a comeback to win their semi-final – and only in a tie-break – the Lithuanians crushed the Romanians from Ovidius University 3–0 in their semi-final. And given that the Romanians, in the bronze medal match, gave the Hungarian University of Sports Science – who had previously caused the CUS team problems with a 3–0 victory – no quarter, one might have expected a foregone conclusion in the final. But for the Lithuanians.
Unibo, on the other hand, got off to a flying start, taking the first set 25–15 in no time at all. The second set was even quicker, ending 25–12. And that, perhaps, was the only dip in form for the red-and-whites, who, trailing 14–16, fought back to lead 22–19. Three points were all it took to secure a place in Europe. The Lithuanians scored six points in a row, though, to make it 22–25, leaving everything to play for in the fourth set. In the fourth set, the exact opposite happened: at 12–15, the Lithuanians seemed to be in control. But no – CUS Bologna fought back to take the lead. A winning attack from Sara Fontemaggi, who also served up the subsequent ace. Then Chiara Marinucci seals the deal, and for the Alma Mater Studiorum girls, the familiar chant can begin: “It’s us, it’s us, we are the European champions.” Giulia Galletti also takes home the MVP title.
Here is the assessment from the coach, the ever-present (even in past triumphs) Leonardo Palladino. “I went into this final without knowing much about the opposition. We got off to a brilliant start, focusing on doing what we do best. And we started well, taking a 2–0 lead. Then, as had happened during the tournament, we lost our way a little. But in the fourth set, we made a full recovery with interest. And now we’re back on top of Europe. We deserve it.”
And what about Sofia Migliorini? “It was a very exciting match because there was a big crowd. We got off to a good start. Then we lost our way a bit in the third and fourth sets. But we bounced back because we’re a united and close-knit team. And thanks to that, we can call ourselves champions of this EUSA tournament.”
Chiara Marinucci had the final word: “The match went our way at the start. Then, however, we struggled a bit with fatigue and they stepped up their game. But as we’re a united team, we saw it through to the end.” Meanwhile, Alice Trampus was crowned top scorer of the final.
The score sheet: Chiara Tarantino, Beatrice Bacchilega 4, Sofia Ceroni 10, Sofia Cangini, Camilla Ioli, Lucia Mercolini, Tea Reggiani, Sofia Migliorini 11, Alice Trampus 15, Sara Fontemaggi 10, Erika Bendoni, Arianna Gambini, Giulia Galletti 5, Chiara Marinucci 7.
Coach Leonardo Palladino, assistant coach Ilaria Gaiani, team manager Dalila Modestino, officials Alessandro Vitti and Agostino Briatico, referee Luca Frazzoni.
Press Office – CUS Bulogna ASD
