TIM CUP A2 – FINAL FOUR


RAPHAEL AND CAZZANIGA INTRODUCE THEIR SEMIFINAL


 


The TIM Cup A2 is getting closer and curiosity in Isernia is growing. The rich sport week end in the city takes off tomorrow, friday the 14th of march, with the presentation press conference, scheduled for 10.15 in the Main Hall of the dell’Istituto Tecnico Industriale “E. Mattei” in Isernia.


After introducing the first semifinal between Marmi Lanza Verona – Olio Pignatelli Isernia, through Massimo botti and Mario Scappaticcio’s words, today it is Raphael’s turn, Tonno Callipo vibo Valentia’s setter,and Roberto Cazzaniga’s, Permier Hotels Crema’s diagonal player, who are talking about the dangers of the match which will see them as opponents.


         


 


SATURDAY AT 20.30 VIBO VALENTIA – CREMA


THE WORD TO THE CAPTAINS: RAPHAEL DE OLIVEIRA


 


Vibo and Verona are the great favourites but the semifinal matches have never been as balanced as this year. Who will get away with it do you think?


All four teams have good chances to win. They will be balanced matches and the winner will be the one who will show more attitude, concentration and determination on court. We are very high, we are eager to win this important trophy and we wish to bring it back to Calabria. I am personally very exited and honoured to take part, for the first time in my career, in this event which, given the level of the teams involved, will give plenty of emotions to everyone present.


 


Crema, your opponent in the semifinal, has shown to be able to beat anyone. What scares you the most about Fant’s team?


It is a very tight group, they make very few mistakes and they are able to play a simple but incisive game. Also, crema has a very effective serve.


Cazzaniga is surely the individual to fear the most. On the top of that, since we beat them both in the first and second leg in the championship, they will be after revenge.


 


From one to ten, how many chances has Vibo got to win the TIM Cup?


I believe we are demonstrating to be a good group, with the potentials to do well. We are giving our best in this championship and we will do the same in hte TIM Cup.



 


THE WORD TO THE CAPTAINS: ROBERTO CAZZANIGA


 


In what shape and mood are you going to the TIM Cup Final Four?


We are coming from the defeat in Castellana which could give us the push to make up for it. We will have to be good at turning anger into positive energy. With regards to the physical aspect, after a few problems, we are now quite well.


 


Verona and Vibo are the great favourites for the final. Crema could be the dangerous one in the Final Four though? 


Yes, Verona and Vibo are the favourites. I see Isernia as the dangerous one though because they play at home in front of their own supporters and in a very small venue which is in their favour. I think they will have more chances to win against Verona than us against Vibo.


 


What is Vibo’s strength, your semifinal opponent?


Vibo is the worse team that could have happened to us, I would have prefered Verona. They have a wide team so if someone plays badly they find someone else on the bench who can do better.


I believe they have the best setter in A2 and I also like Contreras, really good in zone 4. Anyway, a month ago we could have beaten them, infact we were 2 sets to 1 and 7-4 in the forth one. Shame we lost at tie break. Clearly if we should win against Vibo we would have great chances to play our TIM Cup.


 







THE PROGRAMME


 


SEMIFINALS – Sat Mar 15th


18.00


Marmi Lanza VERONA – Olio Pignatelli ISERNIA


REFs: Nunzio CALTABIANO – Massimo MARCHELLO


 


20.30


Tonno Callipo VIBO VALENTIA – Premier Hotels CREMA


REFs: Antonino GENNA – Marco BRAICO


 


FINAL – Sun Mar 16th


18.15 – Live on SKY SPORT 2


REFs: Fabio GINI – Antonio LONGO


 


SERIE A1 TIM


PROGRAMME AND REFEREES


 


Sat Mar 15th, 18.00


Prisma Taranto – Itas Diatec Trentino (Live on SKY SPORT 2)


Cammera – Coppola


 


Sun Mar 16th, 18.00


M. Roma Volley – Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza


Santi – Pol


Antonveneta Padova – Famigliulo Corigliano


Pasquali – Sampaolo


Acqua Paradiso Gabeca Montichiari – Cimone Modena


Locatelli – Barbero


Lube Banca Marche Macerata – RPA-LuigiBacchi.it Perugia


Zecchini – Giani


Andreoli Latina – Sparkling Milano


Padoan – Sobrero


 


Mon Mar 17th, 20.30


Sisley Treviso – Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo (Live on SKY SPORT 2) 


Bartolini – Lavorenti


 


 


 


INDESIT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE


THE PROGRAMME OF THE 6 TEAMS’ PLAY OFFS


 


We know three of the four teams partecipating in the Indesit Champions League’s Final Four. On the top of the organising team PGE Skra Belchatow, Lodz, Dinamo Kazan (RUS) and Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza have got a pass for the final.


Playing for the remaining place are Sisley Treviso and German team VFB Friedrichshafen, playing tonight at 20.00 (live on SKY SPORT 3).


 


RESULTS AND PROGRAMME OF THE 6 TEAMS PLAY OFFS


A.S. Cannes (FRA) – Dinamo Kazan (RUS) 1-3 (25-18, 22-25, 23-25; 19-25; and. 0-3)


Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza (ITA) – Panathinaikos Atene 3-2 (23-25; 14-25; 25-21; 25-20; 15-13; and. 3-1)


Thu Mar 13th, 20.00


VFB Friedrichshafen (GER) – Sisley Treviso (ITA) (And. 3-2) (live on SKY Sport 3)


REFs: Frans Loderus – Angelus Cotoanta