Calzedonia Verona-Azimut Modena 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 21-25)
Calzedonia Verona – Azimut Modena 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 21-25) – Calzedonia Verona: Baranowicz 1, Kovacevic 11, Anzani 7, Djuric 15, Randazzo 3, Zingel 8, Frigo (L), Giovi (L), Ferreira 0, Lecat 0, Mengozzi 2. DNP Paolucci, Stern. Coach. Grbic. Azimut Modena: Orduna 0, Ngapeth E. 23, Holt 3, Vettori 11, Petric 8, Le Roux 5, Piano 0, Rossini (L), Massari 0, Travica 1. DNP Onwuelo, Ngapeth S.. Coach. Tubertini. REFEREES: Pasquali, Boris. NOTES – sets: 25′, 26′, 26′; tot: 77′. Attendence: 4075. MVP: Earvin Ngapeth.
In Verona for the history. Calzedonia played in front of the sell out crowd of Agsm Forum in Verona to clinch an historical semifinal spot for the first time in club history. After the great Game 1’s win at PalaPanini, after the great moment of shape Nikola Gbric’s team is living in Unipolsai Superleague, Calzedonia could have a date with the history. But Azimut Modena had different ideas about Game 2 and Quarterfinals series. With a great step of pride and motivation, Lorenzo Tubertini’s team reacted to the bad loss last saturday on the home turf, and drove by a great Earvin Ngapeth, the great champion we all know, tied the series with an outstanding performance on the road, winning 3-0 with authority. In first two sets the game was very balanced and on the edge, with Verona in front for some big parts of first set, closed by Ngapeth on 25-23. Modena was in front in the second, grabbing a 5 points lead on 20-15 with a great ace by Luca Vettori. Also the second was for Modena, again 25-23. In the third it was a noisy Agsm Forum beside Calzedonia, but once again Earvin Ngapth stepped up, taking Modena on his shoulders, with a couple of big aces and great attacks, giving to Gialloblù from Emilia a great 25-21 third set win, sealing the 3-0 in the game and forcing the series to Game3. The big stage is set for Game 3 at PalaPanini next sunday, a real no tomorrow game.
Lorenzo Tubertini (Azimut Modena): “We had the right approach to the game on this tough court, despite the pressure on us after saturday’s loss. We did not win nothing yey, but we showed we can do something important. Ngapeth played an oustanding game, he played as he knows. The experience of Travica helped us, now with him we had two great setters for the team, I’m proud of both”.
Nikola Grbic (Calzedonia Verona): “Modena arrived here focused and determined, and they played their best game. They were great in serve, with Ngapeth who played one of his best games. As I said on saturday, we didn’t have to think we already qualified, on the other hand, now, we’re not the worst team in the world. Now we’ll play in Modena, we have chances to win, as we did last saturday”.
