The bitter sweet Champions league weekend is behind us and we’re back in the league playoffs with semi-finals Game 3. Perugia and Modena have a 2-0 lead in their respective series against Civitanova and Trentino.
Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova needs to get back on track with a first win over Perugia, who have already won in the Eurosuole Forum in Game 1 at the tie-break. Their home victory in the second encounter means they’re just one win from getting into the final. Civitanova has been having a tough period of late. Their dream of a Champions League triumph was crushed by Trento in the semi-finals in Krakow (3-0). The tie-break win in the game for third place against the hosts of Rzeszow was not enough to put a smile back on their faces. Sport director Stefano Recine was fired and that was followed by vice president Albino Massaccessi wanting to resign. But that was refused by the club. As for Sir Safety Conad Perugia, they know it will be a totally different game than the last in which Civitanova only kept it tight in the first set. Though Perugia only won five of 15 between the two teams, what stands out is that in the playoffs they’re all square, 3 all. This new battle is expected to be even more thrilling than Game 1, when the two teams were separated only after five spectacular sets.
Modena is eager to seal the series as soon as possible against the European runners up. They have shown a magnificent flow of their attack in Game 1 and great character in Game 2 in Trento, won at the tie-break. In the last encounter, Trento showed a noteworthy ability to block (13) but Ngapeth responded with 30 points all the same. The Trentino players will face this new challenge with a Champions League silver medal around their neck as they went agonizingly close to win the most prestigious trophy of the continent against Kazan. Before the final, they had demolished Civitanova, which means they had two performances that will give them some confidence. Besides, Simone Giannelli was named best setter of the event. But now, they need a breakthrough to get back in the series.
League playoffs, semi-finals Game 3
Thursday 21 April at 8.30pm
Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova – Sir Safety Conad Perugia Live on RAI Sport1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
DHL Modena – Diatec Trentino Live on Lega Volley Channel
League playoffs, semi-finals Game 4 (if needed)
Sunday 24 April at 5.30pm
Sir Safety Conad Perugia – Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova Live on RAI Sport1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Monday 25 April at 7.15pm
Diatec Trentino – DHL Modena Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Game 5 (If needed)
Wednesday 27 April at 8.30pm
Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova – Sir Safety Conad Perugia Live on RAI Sport1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Thursday 28 April at 8.30pm
DHL Modena – Diatec Trentino Live on Lega Volley Channel
Past encounters: 15 (10-5 Civitanova)
This season: 2 games: Civitanova won both, 3-0 away then 3-1 home
In the playoffs: 6 games in the playoffs: 4 in the final (3-1 Civitanova), two in semi-finals (Perugia won both).
Marko Podrascanin (Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova): “Let’s put the Champions League behind us and put our heart and soul into this semi-final Game 3. Our goal is obviously to win it and push the series to Game 4. We’ll be up against an extremely motivated team which is very close to the final, but we know we have what it takes to get back in it. It will be crucial to play with a positive spirit, we can beat them and we want to prove it tomorrow in front of our fans”.
Carmine Fontana (Ass.coach Sir Safety Conad Perugia): “We’re ready for Game 3, it will be a Perugia team full of confidence against a team keen to ignite a come-back. And we’re certain they will react because when you don’t have any other choice but win, you tend to find your best form. We know each other well, we both have qualities and flaws but the qualities of the individuals will make the difference. It’s obvious we need to keep working well with our serve, like we did in the series against Verona and the first two games against Civitanova. We also need consistency in the reception-attack combination. We really want to finish it off but we need to be ready to fight through difficult times, because against such a strong team away from home, there’s bound to be some. That’s why the character will be a predominant aspect”.
Past encounters: 60 (35-25 Trento)
This season: 4 games: Trento won both regular season games on a 3-2 score, first home then away. Modena won the Italian Cup final 3-0 and the SuperCup 3-2.
In the playoffs: 23 games: 12 in the quarters (6 wins each), 7 in the semi-finals (4-3 Modena), 4 in the final (3-1 Trento).
Salvatore Rossini (DHL Modena): “We know for well that Trento is a great team and I don’t think the Champions League final defeat can influence their focus in any way, on the contrary. They will come to Modena well aware their season is on the line. We can’t wait to get on court, working with Thursday’s game on our mind is exciting. We know we will play in a special atmosphere, unique in Italy. We couldn’t be more up for it, we want to give this city what it deserves”.
Daniele Mazzone (Diatec Trentino): “We turn our focus back on the league playoffs. We remain extremely motivated, the Champions League final gave us belief in our ability. Even if we didn’t win the trophy, I think in many ways we played two great games in quick succession in Krakow. We gave everything we had but we’ll need that little bit extra against Modena but it wouldn’t be right to finish the season like that. The first two games of the series taught us we have to step up a level and must be more consistent in the blocking area, this is something that can make a difference for us. We really want to get back home on April 25 for Game 4. It can only happen to those who believe, and we do believe”.
