One last name is missing in the league playoffs semi-finals. It will either be Verona or Perugia, two teams that have met already eight times this season and will play for a huge one this Wednesday night. So far, it’s been all pretty tight with four wins each and five tie-breaks. Perugia had won both Italian Cup games that led them to the Final Four but Verona was the one to dominate in the league. As for the playoffs, nobody is ready to give up an inch. Verona is back from its European triumph having celebrated victory in the Challenge Cup 2016 in Siberia, while Perugia will be keen to stay alive among the very best teams of the country. The loser will play the Challenge playoffs against CMC Romagna.
League playoffs, quarter-finals Game 5
Wednesday 6 April at 8.30pm
Calzedonia Verona – Sir Safety Conad Perugia Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Semi-finals Game 1
Saturday 9 April at 6pmWinner 4th/5th Live on Lega Volley Channel
Saturday 9 April at 8.15pm
DHL Modena – Diatec Trentino Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Past encounters: 19 (13-6 Perugia)
This season: 4 times – Verona won both regular season game (3-0 away then 3-2 home). Perugia won the 2 Italian Cup games (3-2 away then 3-1 home).
In the playoffs: 7 times in the quarter-finals (Perugia 4-3).
Andrea Giani (coach Calzedonia Verona): “It’s Game 5, one of the two teams will be out of it. It’s a hard-fought series, the two teams have been very near from each other all season long. Eight games, four wins each and so many tie-breaks. We’re about the same level. There are very little differences, we have to make the most of every opportunity that will come our way. We’ll have to play with great determination because we’re up against a team with a big competitive spirit”.
Carmine Fontana (Assistant coach Sir Safety Conad Perugia): “Verona is a quality team. They definitely have quality on the serve, whoever is on the line, and they have a lot of quality at the net too. These are their main strengths, and that’s with these weapons that they deservedly won Game 4 in our gym. It’s true we’re close but we were a step behind, every one of us should have given more to be able to win that one. That’s what we have to do in Game 5, step up one level. It’s true that having the fans on your side is always an advantage but everything is decided on the court and if you’re mentally solid you can make up for that disadvantage. In terms of play, our reception, attack and the way we counter against their blocking will be key. The more disciplined, aggressive and composed we’ll be, the better chance we’ll have because in the playoffs the level of intensity and aggressiveness is always higher. You always have to find the best solution, so the most composed and consistent team will be the winner”.
Cantù went very close from making the upset in the opening game of the quarter-finals. Della Rosa’s men only lost at the tie-break against Vibo Valentia in spite of being 2-1 up. They will battle it out again with their main man Alessandro Preti (26 point at 51% in Game 1). The regular season champs built their come-back win on some great blocking in the clutch moments. They also had an extremely effective Davide Marra in reception. Vibo might not have expected such a tough match. Their star spikers Michalovic and Casoli got off to a brilliant start before Cantù stepped up, but they found their game again when it mattered the most.
The breakthrough of the day came from Reggio Emilia. Fifth in the regular season, they swept Civita Castellana on their home floor and will have the court advantage to seal the series. Newly promoted, Civita had beaten Reggio twice in regular season but now they have to regroup to erase this poor opener. The 17 points from Brazilian Paulo Da Silva, top scorer of the game and regular season, proved not enough. Spanakis’ men finished with better reception percentages than their opponent in spite of Reggio’s excellent serves but they often got stuck on the opposite block.
Just like last season, the Potenza Picena players find themselves trailing against Sora in a playoffs series, running the risk to go out. Last season, their brilliant come-back sent them on their way to the league title. Can they do it again?. Augusto Quarta proved he was back to his best, while Andrea Ippolito could get more playing time. Led by their top scorer, Mattia Rosso, Sora increased their intensity as the game wore on. And every time the youngest teams of the eight had a break, Sora found an answer. It’s never easy, though, in Potenza. This will be another test of maturity for the Sora team.
Siena will have another go on home soil after going so close from the upset in Montefiascone in their playoffs debut. In spite of putting face to face the third and the sixth of the regular season, it’s been extremely tight. Caponeri’s men registered high percentages in attack and blocking as middle blocker had a monster game with 16 points (4 aces). As for Tuscania, they will now try to seal the series on the road without risking to play for a decider at home. And they have proved many times they were as dangerous away from home. In Game 1, Tofoli had more quantity than quality from his men. The high-ball spikers lacked consistency but the other helped to achieve victory. The middle blockers and libero Bonami, perfect in reception, were the main architects of this win. But careful, Tuscania still has in mind the severe defeat conceded in regular season on March 9.
Serie A2 playoffs quarter-finals Game 2
Wednesday 6 April at 8.30pm
Cassa Rurale Cantù – Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia Live on Lega Volley Channel
Conad Reggio Emilia – Globo Scarabeo Civita Castellana Live on Lega Volley Channel
Volley Potentino Potenza Picena – Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora Live on Lega Volley Channel
Emma Villas Siena – Maury’s Italiana Assicurazioni Tuscania Live on Lega Volley Channel
Quarter-finals Game 3 (if needed)
Sunday 10 April at 6pm
Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia – Cassa Rurale Cantù Live on Lega Volley Channel
Globo Scarabeo Civita Castellana – Conad Reggio Emilia Live on Lega Volley Channel
Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora – Volley Potentino Potenza Picena Live on Lega Volley Channel
Maury’s Italiana Assicurazioni Tuscania – Emma Villas Siena Live on Lega Volley Channel
