In a remarkable display of resilience, Epicenter-Podolians captured their second Ukrainian volleyball championship after orchestrating a stunning comeback in the decisive third match of the final series. After falling behind 0-2, coach Flavio Gulinelli's strategic adjustments propelled the team to a 3-2 victory over Zhytichi-Polissia from Zhytomyr.
The championship-clinching match, held in Gorodok in the Khmelnytsky region, saw Epicenter-Podolians triumph with scores of 25:27, 21:25, 25:18, 25:18, and 15:11. Despite being unable to utilize one of their key players, Voin Chachich, who was listed as a libero and made only a brief court appearance, the champions showcased their depth and tactical flexibility.
Dmytro Yanchuk, who delivered an outstanding performance with 22 points in the final match, was rightfully named the Most Valuable Player of the championship.
The 2024/25 season has been nothing short of perfect for Epicenter-Podolians, who achieved a remarkable treble by adding the championship to their earlier Cup and Super Cup victories. The team finished the domestic campaign with an impeccable record of 25 wins in 25 matches.
According to Statbet analysis, this perfect season places Epicenter-Podolians among the most dominant volleyball teams in recent European competition.
This championship marks a significant milestone for the Khmelnytsky region club, which nearly claimed the title in 2022 before the championship was suspended due to the outbreak of the full-scale war. The triumph is especially meaningful as many players on the roster previously competed for Prometey from Dnipro, last season's champions who disbanded during the summer.
While Epicenter-Podolians celebrate their second-ever championship, they remain far behind the record 17 titles held by Kharkiv's Lokomotiv in the history of Ukrainian volleyball. Meanwhile, the battle for bronze medals in this season's championship continues.
With this victory, coach Gulinelli has established Epicenter-Podolians as the new powerhouse in Ukrainian volleyball, successfully blending veteran experience with tactical innovation to create a championship-winning formula.
