RPA Caffè Maxim Perugia: MARMI LANZA VERONA: Nuti 4, Gato 21, Semenzato 9, Howard 11, Bernardi 17, Granvorka 13; Sorcinelli (L), Pes. I. Hernandez. All. Bagnoli
RPA CAFFE’ MAXIM PERUGIA: Tofoli 1, Hernandez 17, Lebl 6, Di Franco 6, Swiderski 2, Vujevic 11; Messana (L), De La Fuente 7, Zaytsev, Barbone, Martin, Novotny 3. All. Caponeri
REFEREES: Pessolano e Mastrodonato
PARTIALS SET: 25-20; 22-25; 25-15; 25-19
SETS TIME: 25′, 27′, 21′, 23′ total: 1 hour e 36′
POINTS:
Perugia 53 out of 79 (aces 4, winning blocks 9, serving errors 14; perfetct passing 27%, positive 53%, attacks 46%);
Verona 75 out of 97 (aces 10, winning blocks 11, serving errors 19; perfect passing 44%, positive 65%, attack 56%)
Against the team with the 8 victories in a row and in front of 4500 people, Perugia didn’t make it and came out with a 3-1 defeat. The match was clearly a direct challange for a spot in the play-off. “To get in the first eight positions of the ranking we need to reach 39 points, which means that we need 9 in 4 matches…” Massimo Caponeri said.
Before the beginning of the match a great show of solidarity organised by the home team: the two teams and the crowd wore a t-shirt saying ” Free Tommaso”. Volleyball don’t forget.
In the first set Perugia fights and battles at its best, keeping the score tight up to 21-20, but then give up losing 25-20. Good set for Di Franco and Vujevic but Swiderski has been replaced by De La Fuente. In the second set Perugia battles until the very end with a devasting Hernandez (9 points) and a very good team blocks (5) that gave the chance for Perugia to close the set 22-25. One set for all. Bad start on the 3rd set and Verona flies 8-2 and close quickly the set 25-15. There is still hope for Perugia in the 4th but the illusion lasts only for 8 points. After the first time out Massmo Caponeri’s boy got a break of 9-1 and the score arrives 15-9. Lights out for Perugia also because of the very tired players and Bernardi close the match 25-19. “We did our best” Messana pointed out ” this is a very difficult time for us. We don’t play well and we don’t win. We need to get back on track straight away”
Eleonora Cozzari
Press office
Perugia Volley
