Internal seasonal debut for Bcc Tecbus Castellana Grotte in the A2 Credem Banca men’s volleyball national championship. After the stop away in Brescia last week, in fact, the yellow-blue team trained by coach Simone Cruciani is expected to make their home debut on Sunday 22 October 2023.
Pool Libertas Cantù, a team that lost at home to Aversa 1-3 on the first day, is expected at Pala Grotte early at 4pm. Trained by coach Denora Caporusso, the Cantù team arrives in Puglia sharing the goal of achieving their first success of the championship with New Mater.
There are 14 precedents between Castellana Grotte and Cantù: 10 victories for New Mater, 4 victories for Pool Libertas. We start again from the series of the fourth playoffs of last season when it was Cantù who went through in three games. The Lombard team also won the two championship matches of the last tournament: 1-3 in Castellana Grotte, 3-1 in Cantù. New Mater, however, prevailed in the semi-final match of the A2 Italian Cup: again 3-1 at Pala Grotte. Only one former player on the pitch, wearing a Cantù shirt, namely Giuseppe Ottaviani.
“It won’t be an easy debut at all – commented the sporting director of New Mater Volley, Bruno De Mori – Cantù is a strong team that has kept a large part of last season’s roster intact. On the contrary, we are a young team that is completing its growth path. In Brescia we had important, positive signs of character: the team reacted with determination to the difficulties and this comforts us with a view to the future. We know well that we will have to give our best in every match, always counting on a determined approach and enthusiasm. From this perspective, the support of Pala Grotte will be important. We know how much of a difference our home stadium can make with our fans. This is why we hope that Castellana will be able to experience yet another great volleyball season alongside us.”
