The first game had been one-way traffic but Game 2 of the League final turned into a beautiful gift to the passionate fans. It was a thrilling evening of volleyball that ended in a come-back tie-break win for Modena. The latter is 2-0 up and will have a chance to lift the trophy aloft on Sunday when it hosts Game 3 in its PalaPanini arena.
Modena’s killer instinct did it again in spite of a courageous performance from the hosts in Game 2. More than ever, the Modena players will have their destiny in their own hands as they try to bring back home a title that has been missing since 2002. They went very close last year against Trento but now they are just one step away. In Game 2, top scorer Luca Vettori scored 22 points, Ngapeth added 20 and Saatkamp 16 (4 blocks, 60%).
Perugia has to forget about what happened in the first two encounters, even if the home loss at the death might leave some regrets. Besides, this season Perugia has always come on the losing end against Modena in five attempts: they were beaten twice in regular season, in the Italian Cup semi-finals and twice now in this league final series. Now they need three breakthroughs to win the first title in history. They have nothing to lose anymore, Atanasijevic is in good shape, their serve is improving but they’ll have to do better in dig and attack (39% in Game 2).
League Playoffs, final Game 3
Sunday 8 May at 5.30pm Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
DHL Modena – Sir Safety Conad Perugia
Game 4 (If needed)
Thursday 12 May at 8.40pm Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
Sir Safety Conad Perugia – DHL Modena
Game 5 (If needed)
Sunday 15 May at 5.30pm Live on RAI Sport 1
Live streaming on www.raisport.rai.it
DHL Modena – Sir Safety Conad Perugia
Past encounters: 11 (7-4 Modena)
This season: 3 games – Modena won both regular season games, 3-1 home then 3-2 away. Modena also won the Italian Cup clash in the semi-finals 3-1.
In the playoffs: 2 games in this final. Modena is 2-0 up.
Andrea Sartoretti (GM DHL Modena): “The boys had a brilliant game in Perugia, it’s very tough to win there. They showed all their individual qualities, and even more as a team. We’re facing a big day at home on Sunday in our PalaPanini arena. We’ll need another perfect game to reach a goal we all want so badly. The team is ready, focused and motivated”.
Simone Buti (Sir Safety Conad Perugia): “I think we could say a lot about Game 2 but that would all be analysis that do not matter that much today. What matters now is that in two days we have a crucial game that could get us back in the series. So we have to focus exclusively on Game 3 and give everything we’ve got. It’s obvious that our opponents are strong and have an important advantage, but what matters is to give 100 percent and play as we should in such an important event. We played brilliantly those playoffs and earned the right to play this final, let’s give it all in order not to have any regrets”.
What was expected to be a never-ending battle could eventually be over in just three games. If we consider the number of sets won, Vibo Valentia has been dominant. It was tight in regular season and Sora had superb playoffs but that did not trouble Vibo the least as they clinched 6 of 7 sets. On Sunday, they will have a chance to celebrate promotion at home with their fans.
Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia has been perfect so far and its come-back in the elite is getting closer. The chance to party brings extra motivation and pressure. They’ll need another big performance. In the first two games some terrific serving annihilated Sora’s great starts. Vibo had 8 aces in Game 2, Sora only one. It was tighter in the rest of the fundamentals. The regular season and cup champs have been a little more accurate in attack while the host had an extra block and showed excellent dig and fighting spirit to avoid more trouble in reception.
Even if Sora had never been as solid as this season, it runs the risk of coming out precociously. This would be a seventh attempts at promotion to end bitterly. Coach Soli and the team will not give up like they did not give up in regular season when they came-back from behind to win. However, second in regular season and loser in the cup final against Vibo, they need a huge road win to turn things around. Not impossible as they won 2 of the 5 encounters against Vibo this season, one of them away from home.
Serie A2 Playoffs, Final Game 3
Sunday 8 May at 6pm
Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia – Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora Live on Lega Volley Channel
Game 4 (If needed)
Wednesday 11 May at 8.30pm
Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora – Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia Live on Lega Volley Channel
Game 5 (If needed)
Sunday 15 May at 6pm
Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia – Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora Live on Lega Volley Channel
