Match report Season ends after a big fight

SWD powervolleys Düren's Bundesliga season ends in the semifinals. Cup winners and favorites SVG Lüneburg wins the return leg at Arena Kreis Düren 3-1 against a Düren side still badly hit by injuries. After the 0-3 in the first leg, Lüneburg reach the final and Düren finish the season with the bronze medal.

Out, but to a standing ovation: the crowd celebrated a battered team that played with great fighting spirit.

Incredibly proud

Head coach Christophe Achten was incredibly proud of his team. He could not have asked for more than what the players showed. He wondered where Lüneburg would be if three of their four outside hitters were injured.

Düren play with plenty of heart

Once again Ryan Poole was the only specialist outside hitter on court, as all the others were injured. Once again middle blocker Kyle Paulson stepped in – outstandingly, according to Achten. That kept Düren in the match for a long time. After two sets in which Lüneburg won the long rallies, the picture changed: especially in the fourth set, Düren thrilled the crowd with spectacular saves and brave attacks. SVG coach Stefan Hübner also paid tribute to Düren for playing with a huge amount of heart at a really high level.

Lüneburg strike back coolly

Düren lost the second set shortly before the end to a Lüneburg ace. In the third set the team built a 23-18 lead, and Jordan Canham finished it 25-22. In the fourth set Düren were already 17-12 up, but substitute Axel Larsen gave Lüneburg a 23-22 lead with a strong run of serves. Axel Enlund ended Düren’s season with an ace for 27-25.

Achten regretted that the season ended this way. The team is something very special and deserved not only a fifth set but above all less bad luck with injuries. With a full squad, he would have liked to see how this series would have turned out.