Imoco Volley Conegliano Women 3-1 Eczacibasi Women | FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Final | December 8, 2019

Imoco Volley Conegliano secured their first-ever FIVB Women’s Club World Championship title on December 8, 2019, defeating Turkish powerhouse Eczacibasi Istanbul 3-1 in Shaoxing, China. The Italian club, led by tournament MVP Paola Egonu, overcame an early scare to lift the most coveted trophy in club volleyball.

Match story

The final started in the worst possible manner for Conegliano. Eczacibasi came out firing, leaning on the powerful right arm of Tijana Boskovic and the all-around mastery of Kim Yeon-koung. The Turkish side took the opening set 25-22, and for a brief moment, they looked capable of running away with the title.

Conegliano’s response, however, was emphatic. The Italians rebuilt their serve and block, and suddenly Eczacibasi’s passing crumbled. The second set was a rout, with Conegliano hammering out a 25-14 triumph that swung momentum completely. From that point, the match belonged to the squad from the Veneto region. They won the third set 25-19 and then held off a late Eczacibasi fight in the fourth to seal the championship 25-21.

Turning point

After dropping the first set, Conegliano called a timeout that changed the tone of the match. From that moment onward, their serving pressure, led by Egonu and Robinson, made it impossible for Eczacibasi to utilize their star hitters in system. The second set’s lopsided scoreline was more than just a set win; it was a psychological blow from which Eczacibasi never fully recovered.

Standout players

• Paola Egonu (Imoco): the Italian opposite was unstoppable, named the tournament MVP after scoring at will from the right side.
• Joanna Wolosz (Imoco): the Polish setter masterfully distributed the ball, repeatedly isolating Egonu in favorable matchups.
• Robin de Kruijf (Imoco): the Dutch middle blocker provided crucial blocks in the middle sets, neutralizing Eczacibasi’s fast attacks.
• Tijana Boskovic (Eczacibasi): despite the loss, the Serbian superstar finished as one of the top scorers, a reminder of her immense quality.

Why it mattered

The victory gave Conegliano their maiden Club World Championship and was the crowning achievement of a generation-defining squad. For Eczacibasi, it was yet another near-miss on the world stage, but they walked away with a second-place finish and the knowledge that they had been the only team to take a set from Conegliano in the final.

Imoco’s players and staff celebrated in front of the Shaoxing crowd, and the win cemented their place as the world’s premier women’s volleyball team. The 2019 title was not just a trophy; it was a statement that Italian club volleyball, led by the talents of Egonu and company, had a new world champion.