Never say never in this League Playoffs semi-final series. Nothing can be taken for granted. Modena and Perugia already had one foot in the final thanks to a 2-0 lead but Civitanova and Trentino fought back and will now try to force a deciding Game 5.
Perugia starts to see the ghosts of its past. In the quarter-finals they were pegged back from 2-0 up to 2-2 before eventually clinching it at the tie-break of the deciding fifth game. In Game 3 of the semi-finals, the Block Devils were 2-1 up before letting the hosts realise an unpredictable come-back. Atanasijevic (25) and Russell (21) gave trouble to Civitanova all night long in this dual that went as far as it could: 16-14 in the tie-break. Civitanova survived thanks to its courage and heart, as well as some good serves and dig. This match-up gave birth to an epic encounter with lots of twists and turns. Perugia might feel they wasted a big opportunity. Civitanova is still alive.
And Trento is alive and kicking too after its impressive road win in Modena that will give them a chance to play Game 4 home and tie the series. After their excellent display in the Champions League final against Kazan in Poland, Trento came back in Italy aware they could play at a level above. And they did in the PalaPanini arena in front of 5000 supporters. Without Mitar Djuric, the surprise move of Kaziyski as outside hitter did the trick. Setter Giannelli’s performance also greatly eased Trento’s mission. Trento proved the better team at the net with 13 blocks to 5, while it was also more effective in attack. Modena has already managed to win in the PalaTrento arena and that’s what they will try to do to avoid the in-or-out Game 5. Lorenzetti’s men had fought hard in a game of high intensity, and they did come-back in it with some great attacking in the third set. And the hosts dominated 10 aces to 1 in Game 3 but that did not influence the final score, neither did the 23 points from top scorer Luca Vettori. And that’s’ why the two most in-formed teams of the moment will give us another spectacular game on Monday night.
League playoffs semi-finals Game 4
Sunday 24 April at 5.30pm
Sir Safety Conad Perugia – Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova Live on RAI Sport 1
Diretta streaming su www.raisport.rai.it
Monday 25 April at 7.15am
Diatec Trentino – DHL Modena Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Semi-finals Game 5
Wednesday 27 April at 8.30pm
Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova – Sir Safety Conad Perugia Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Thursday 28 April at 8.30pm
DHL Modena – Diatec Trentino Live on Lega Volley Channel
Past encounters: 16 (11-5 Civitanova)
This season: 2 games: Civitanova won both, 3-0 away then 3-1 home
In the playoffs: 7 games in the playoffs: 4 in the final (3-1 Civitanova), three in semi-finals (2-1 Perugia).
Boban Kovac (coach Sir Safety Conad Perugia): “On Thursday in Game 3, we lacked a little discipline in our tactics. Besides, Civitanova played an excellent game, we are disappointed with the result but I think the boys had an excellent game. We have to try to play as well this Sunday. Civitanova is a team full of super stars, but we have the qualities to beat them and we’re ready. We’ll need all our fans in the gym, we’ll do everything possible to make it into the final”.
Dragan Stankovic (Cucine Lube Banca Marche Civitanova): “In Game 4 we’ll need even more fighting spirit and tenacity than in Game 3. But now the pressure is moving a little more on our opponents. They will want to win at home. I expect it to be another very tight game. If we go full speed from start to finish I think we can make it to Game 5”.
Past encounters: 61 (36-25 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: 24 games: 12 in the quarters (6 wins each), 8 in the semi-finals (4 wins each), 4 in the final (3-1 Trento).
Simone Giannelli (Diatec Trentino): “Our victory in Game 3 in Modena proves we’re still alive, that we’re a team that never gives up. We’ll need a similar performance on Monday but it won’t be easy by any means because the effect of surprise with Kaziyski as outside hitter will not work anymore. But we’re confident we can win this home game. The series is not over until the last ball drops. We believe we can do it”.
Andrea Sartoretti (GM DHL Modena): “Thursday’s game was extremely tough, there was a lot of tension in the air at times. Trento had a superb game, they really did not give much away in the clutch moments. We know Game 4 will be another battle and that we have our destiny in our hands. We’ll travel to Trento focused and ready to come back with the victory. The boys believe in their chances, the club and the fans too. We’re ready for a very difficult encounter, we have full respect for everyone but won’t fear anybody either”.
