*This content was translated by AI.View Original
Despite the sudden back surgery of their head coach, there was no issue with Korean Air Jumbos’ championship run. Leveraging the firepower of Zander Ketzinski (26), a German national team member and new foreign attacker, along with the seasoned game management of veteran setter Han Sang-soo (41), they once again dismantled Hyundai Capital Insurance.
On the 25th, at the men’s final of the 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament held at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Korean Air defeated Hyundai Capital Insurance with a set score of 3-1 (26-24, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21).
With this, Korean Air achieved back-to-back titles in the tournament, following their win last year. They secured their 7th championship in history (2007, 2011, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2026). They once again broke the record for the most cup tournament victories, widening the gap with second-place Hyundai Capital Insurance (5 titles) to two championships.
Korean Air went undefeated in the group stage of this tournament with three wins, then crushed Woori Card 3-0 in the semifinals. By defeating Hyundai Capital Insurance in the final, they lifted the championship trophy with a perfect record of five wins and no losses.
They also emerged victorious in the rematch of last season’s V-League Championship Finals. The two teams had engaged in a tight battle that went to the fifth match at the time, with Korean Air claiming the overall title with a 3-2 series win. Hyundai Capital Insurance tried to recall their memory of defeating Korean Air in the 2024 cup tournament final, but this time they bowed down in the final after suffering a 0-3 loss in the group stage.
It was an even more valuable victory for Korean Air. This was because head coach Hernan Dal Zotto underwent herniated disc surgery before the tournament and could not properly stay on the bench. He watched the final from the stands, while assistant coach Raphael Hedwige commanded the team in his place.
Nevertheless, Korean Air remained steady. Ketzinski scored a tournament-high 25 points for both teams combined, Kim Gyu-min recorded 15 points including three blocks, and Jung Ji-seok added 14 points. Lim Dong-hyuk contributed 7 points, while Jeong Han-yong and Kim Min-jae each added 6 points.
In particular, Han Sang-soo’s game management stood out. While developing side attacks centered on Ketzinski, he also utilized quick middle attacks through Kim Gyu-min to disrupt Hyundai Capital Insurance’s blocking. Kim Gyu-min succeeded in 12 of his attacks, recording a high attack success rate of 75%.
Korean Air led significantly in offensive points with a score of 67-50. Although they trailed in blocks with a score of 5-8, they boasted higher decisiveness with an attack success rate of 60.9%, compared to Hyundai Capital Insurance’s 55.6%. In particular, Ketzinski and Kim Gyu-min were responsible for scoring at every critical moment.
On the other hand, Leonardo Reiva (38, registered name Leo) of Hyundai Capital Insurance scored 24 points with an attack success rate of 73.33%, but failed to secure a victory. Heo Soo-bong (28) scored 13 points, Jang Chu-an recorded 7 points, and Shin Ho-jin (25) managed only 7 points.
The turning point was the third set. After taking the first set 26-24, Korean Air led 18-15 in the second set but struggled against powerful serves from Hyundai Capital Insurance’s Leo, conceding consecutive points. With Choe Min-ho (38) adding his blocks to the mix, they allowed a reversal to fall behind 18-22, and ultimately lost the set 21-25.
The third set, reached with the set score tied at 1-1, was even more intense. Hyundai Capital Insurance, whose Leo’s attacks had come alive, took a lead of 20-17, seizing an opportunity to reverse the situation. However, Korean Air had Ketzinski and Han Sang-soo. Substituted in at 17-20, Ketzinski laid the groundwork for a comeback with back-row attacks, and consecutive quick open attacks by Jung Ji-seok and opponent errors led to a 21-21 tie.
After that, both teams refused to yield until reaching 23-23. At the final moment, Korean Air’s problem solver appeared. Ketzinski succeeded in a quick open attack to take a 24-23 lead, and Jeong Han-yong blocked Shin Ho-jin’s attack with a block, ending the set 25-23.
The fourth set also featured a tight battle until the midpoint. However, Korean Air pulled away to lead 19-15 from a 16-15 situation by combining Ketzinski’s back-row attack, Jeong Han-yong’s open attack, and Jung Ji-seok’s service ace. Hyundai Capital Insurance chased to within 20-18 led by Leo and Shin Ho-jin, but Korean Air’s lead was never overturned in the end.
Korean Air reached match point at 22-20 due to a service error by Hyundai Capital Insurance’s Jeong Tae-jun and a failed attack by Heo Soo-bong. In the final moment, Jung Ji-seok’s quick open attack hit the opponent’s block and went out of bounds, ending the game 25-21.
The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Ketzinski, who scored 25 points in the final. Hyundai Capital Insurance’ Leo received the runner-up team’s Most Improved Player (MIP) award, and Korean Air’s Kim Min-jae received the Rising Star Award.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
