CEV announces revisited Golden Set rule

The CEV Board of Administration recently approved a major change to the Golden Set rule applied in knock-out matches across all CEV competitions. According to this provision, a Golden Set will be played anytime there is a tie in the number of matches won, regardless of the final score of the respective fixtures. So far, the Golden Set rule was in place when there was a tie in the number of ranking points claimed by two opposing teams across their respective home and away fixtures. 

“Our objective was to protect the integrity of our sport and to increase competitiveness. We believe it is not natural that a team can lose the second match 2-3 and still win the title or progress to the next stage of a competition. Equally, it is difficult to explain to fans and the media how a team can win the second match 3-2 and yet be eliminated or lose the title,” says CEV President Roko Sikirić. “We wanted to simplify the system, make it more transparent and ensure that every match and every point counts until the very end. The new format strengthens competitiveness, preserves the integrity of the competition, and ensures that the outcome remains undecided until the final point.”

The latest declination of the Golden Set rule makes sure that the tension remains high until the very end and will help deliver a more entertaining show for the fans following from the stands as well as from home. Previously, by securing two sets, a team would determine the fate of a double header before the second matchup was to end, thereby decreasing appeal and the spirit of competition. This change to be applied across all CEV competitions in the knock-out stage when home and away matches are contested will therefore provide the right and much-needed combination of competitive spirit, fairness, and entertainment.