For the sixth consecutive time Stoychev’s team will participate in the Serie A1 finals. But as the coach said: “A true goal is to win the final, not to participate”.
Itas Diatec Trentino – Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-22)
General score: 3-0
Stats: block 6-5, attack 65% – 52%, reception 65%(39%) – 46%(26%), serve 6-7.
The team from Trento qualified to the great final of the Italian Championship for the sixth time in a row! After a long and difficult first match, today the advantage over Cuneo was evident. The best description of the game could be the words by the head coach of Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo, Roberto Piazza: “Both teams entered on court very tense and immediately made 3 or 4 errors. Then, Itas Diatec expanded and we were unable to stop them. Regarding the first match that was another Trento and we should not have allow them for so much like we did tonight: serve and reception made a difference”.
The best scorers of the match were Matey Kaziyski and Wout Wijsmans (both 13). Good performance also for Jan Stokr (12), who scored 10 points from attack with 53% efficiency. On the other side on a good level played Earvin Ngapeth and Tsvetan Sokolov. Both players scored 11 points and both had 44% in attack. The Bulgarian player added 3 personal aces, the French one – 2.
Now the team led by Radostin Stoychev have some time for preparation to the first match of the great final, which will take place on April, 25th at 17.30 in Trento.
Less time to prepare for the finals will have one of two teams still fighting for the place next to Itas Diatec Trentino. A fascinating game between Copra Elior Piacenza and the defender of the title, Lube Banca Marche Macerata is still on. After a quite smashing and surprising win 3-1 in the first meeting in Piacenza, the Luca Monti’s squad appeared more steadfast also in the opponent’s sports hall.
Both teams seemed anxious and overwhelmed by the weight of the match. Maybe that was the reason why they sometimes did not play a beautiful volleyball. Piacenza had a decisively better reception and handled difficult situations. A nervous and exciting tie-break, won by Copra Elior 22-20, gave the guests a leadership in general duel 2-1. This way, Samuele Papi and his teammates are just one step away from the finals.
The best scorers of the match were: Simon Robertlandy (19) and Ivan Zaytsev (18). On the serving area shined Simon and Philip Maxwell Holt (both scored 4 aces). Among blockers an absolute dominator was Marko Podrascanin (7), chosen also the MVP of the match.
The next match between Macerata and Piacenza will take place on April, 17th at 20.30.
Lube Banca Marche Macerata – Copra Elior Piacenza 2-3 (25-18, 22-25, 20-25, 25-18, 20-22)
General score: 1-2
Stats: block 15-13, attack 45% – 48%, reception 39%(30%) – 60%(33%), serve 10-11.
(photo: trentinovolley.it)