Al Rayyan Club dished out an aggressive display and claimed the prestigious Amir Cup Volleyball Championship for a third time in a row. At the packed QVA Indoor Hall on Saturday, The Lions handed out a 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13 defeat to Police.

This was the 14th title in 27 finals for Al Rayyan Club, coached by Brazilian Carlos Schwanke. The two had clashed in the Amir Cup final once in the 2012-13 season with the Al Rayyan getting the better of the Police team.

Qatar Olympic Committee Second Vice-President Dr Thani Bin Abdulrahman Al-Kuwari was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and presented the trophies and medals. Also present on the occasion were QVA President Ali Ghanim Al-Kuwari and QVA Secretary-General Youssef Kano.

The QVA League and Qatar National Volleyball Cup winners Police were hoping to be lucky in their fifth final after four years’ gap. However, Al Rayyan hardly gave any time to the rivals to settle down and with a barrage of hard serves and spikes, they grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead.

There was a slight dip in the levels of concentration and performance by Al Rayyan Club when fans were wondering if the final would be decided in straight sets or not.

Police, who were a bit unfortunate to lose their Brazilian professional Evandro Guerra, the opposite who won the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal, in the second set due to calf injury, did get some consolation as they wrested a set but they could not resist the opponents who raced away to complete a 3-1 victory in 104 minutes.

Professionals Sam Deroo (Belgium) and Kamil Rychlicki (Luxembourg) ) dominated the match with superb smashes for Al Rayyan. Deroo came up with a match-high 22, while Italian club Bunge Ravenna’s outside hitter earned 16. Belal Abunabot, who closed out the match with a smash, had eight.

For Police, Willner Rivas and John Chigbo contributed 12 each. Osman was the third player to reach double figures (11).

Al Rayyan also were rewarded with QR500,000 for emerging the champions for a 14th time in 27 finals. Police took home QR300,000. Al Rayyan Club’s Sam Deroo was declared the best professional, while his teammate Birama Faye was honoured for being the best local player. Both were awarded by Video House and Electronic Centre’s Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Sajid Jassim Mohammed Sulaiman in attendance of QVA Assistant Secretary-General Saeed Salem Al-Jumaan.

The QVA also honoured four age-group players, who were awarded by Video House and Electronic Centre CEO CV Rappai and QVA Board Member Mubarak Eid Al-Abdalla.

النتائج
Amir Cup Volleyball Championship final
Al Rayyan Club beat Police 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13 9 in 104 minutes

Teams
Al Rayyan Club: Marko Stevanovic, Mohamed (L), Suliman (L), Mubarak Dahi Waleed (captain), Marcus Costa, Sam Deroo (P), Kamil Rychlicki (P), Ahmed Jamal, Belal Abunabot, Bairama Faye, Milos Stevanovic and Khalid.
Coach: Carlos Schwanke. Assistant coach: Ali Ishaq

Police: Nagi (L), Ziad (L), Neto, Nadir Abubakr, Willner Rivas (P), Evandro Guerra (P), Moses, John Chigbo (captain), Mohamed Ismail, Isma, Osman and Bobby.
Coach: Damiano Arredondo. Assistant coach: Matias Di Fulvio