Almería survived an almighty scare to reach the 2020 Copa del Rey final, overcoming Ibiza 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal on February 9, 2020. The match was contested under intense pressure, with both teams giving everything to earn a shot at the title, and it took a determined Almería comeback to settle the contest.

Match Overview

Ibiza arrived on the back of their own dramatic quarterfinal victory, and carried that momentum straight into the semifinal. They pushed Almería to the edge with an aggressive serving game and sharp transition hitting, causing constant problems for the more experienced side. Almería, however, drew on their tournament pedigree to steady themselves in the key moments.

As the match wore on, Almería’s depth and physical superiority began to tell. They improved their passing lines, elevated their block efficiency, and sharpened their communication at the net. The fifth set became a display of nerves and quality, and Almería just about edged it to move one step closer to the trophy.

Turning Points

The most critical sequence came late in the fourth set, when Ibiza had the opportunity to close the match. Almería’s service pressure forced a pair of errors, handing the home side a lifeline that they grasped with both hands. From there, the emotional landscape of the match shifted decisively.

In the deciding set, Almería went on a 4-1 run behind their captain’s serving run, and never looked back. Ibiza called timeouts to slow the momentum, but Almería’s attacking efficiency in transition was simply too high.

What It Meant

For Almería, this hard-fought victory set up a highly anticipated final against Voleibol Teruel, offering a chance to add another chapter to their proud Copa del Rey history. The battle against Ibiza served as the perfect warning that nothing would come easily in the final.

Ibiza, meanwhile, left the competition with the respect of the entire hall. They had taken one of the most decorated teams in Spanish volleyball to five sets and remained dangerous until the very last point. Though they fell short, their performance proved they are a rising force to watch in future editions of the tournament.