In Doha, Trentino began its Club World Championships campaign with a 3-1 win over the Africans of Zamalek Sporting Club. Many probably expected an easier task as the European champs found it difficult to seal it in the last two sets. The Golden Formula as well as the Mikasa balls used did not help. Still, credit to the Egyptians for not giving up after two first sets dominated by Trento.
“We knew that, even more than difficult, it would be a strange game and so it was – explained coach Stoytchev – We showed our best in the first two sets, even though it was difficult, then we faded in the third and Zamalek punished us. They were even close to a tie-break. It would have been doomed without the series of serve from Juantorema”.
Trentino will be back on court tomorrow at 2pm Italian time (4pm local time) against the Russians of Zenit Kazan.
Trentino BetClic-Zamalek Sporting Club 3-1
(25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20)
TRENTINO BETCLIC: Birarelli 3, Raphael 2, Kaziyski 11, Corsini 1, Vissotto 25, Juantorena 22, Bari (L); Sokolov 4, Sala. DNP. Gallosti, Zygadlo and Herpe. Coach. Radostin Stoytchev.
