“You can’t pass through the palace!”. The chant of 4,000 fans of the Eurosuole Forum is the canvas of the evening and the perfect title for the undertaking of Cucine Lube. The fact is that the Italian champions are still in the running for the big target. Orphaned by the injured Ivan Zaytsev and backed to the wall in Game 4 of the Finale Scudetto, a Civitanova with free rein, redesigned by Chicco Blengini, feeds on the energy of its fans and prevails against Itas Trentino in four sets (25-18 , 27-25, 20-25, 25-16) impacting the series on 2-2. The hardest part has to come, given that on Wednesday 17 May (8.30 pm) the red and white will take the field at the BLM Group Arena against Angelo Lorenzetti’s yellow and blues for the beautiful. It will be a sort of V-Day to be played on the rival field, conquered at the tie break in the first round of the Regular Season, but taboo in Races 1 and 3 of the Final.
The 12 aces were decisive, 7 of which signed by Yant, MVP and top scorer of the evening with 24 seals and 65% positive, but also the greater precision in attack (59% against 49%). Trent holds up against the wall. In double figures for the red and white also Garcia (14 points with 76%) and Bottolo (11). Among the rivals, good performance by Kaziyski (16 points with 52% and 4 aces), also Michieletto (12) and Lavia (10) in double figures.
Red and white show serving (5 winners) in the first set. The three consecutive aces for the (17-9) of Yant, author of 8 points, are exciting. Evident serve gap also at the end of the set (25-18). On his return, everything happens: after a red and white start, Itas takes the chair. Blengini unleashes Gabi Garcia (5 points like Bottolo) who gives life to the attack by helping the prolific Yant (8 points) and signing the series in service with the ace of overtaking (23-22). The final head-to-head was interrupted in the third set ball by a mistake by Podrascanin (27-25). In the third set, Blengini’s men attack effectively, but suffer a drop in reception and pay dearly for the 2 aces from Kaziyski and 2 from Michieletto, then losing the block duel for Trento’s return (20-25). Fourth set without history. The Marches appear more energetic and stun an incredulous Trento thanks to the direction of De Cecco and the contribution of all the staff (25-16).
Gianlorenzo Blengini (coach): “We played a solid game, with an untested sextet. We found resources from the bench, we played a good game and we’re in Game 5. In the third set, Trento made two important breakups, with Kaziyski and Michieletto who never cease to amaze us. We have beaten well in several moments. We know that nine meters is a very important balance in this series. Now we have to think about Race 5. Lube will try exactly like Itas. Now we need to recover energy, but without ceasing to think about our goal”.
Marlon Yant: “We have trained a lot in batting these days after the defeat in Game 3 at the BLM Group Arena. Today we managed to put Itas in difficulty starting from this fundamental. My race? I’m also working a lot on my personality to be more decisive and instill determination in my teammates.”
Fabio Balaso: “It was a very important match for us. In Trento we had been beaten too easily, we wanted to make a good impression in front of our fans and we did. I thank all the people who came here for the last time this season. Now let’s think about Wednesday. We will try to be incisive again this year, Lube never dies. Even if we are in trouble or we are under, they give us up for dead and we are reborn. Now the important thing is to arrive in Trento with the right mentality!”.
Cucine Lube Civitanova – Itas Trentino 3-1 (25-18, 27-25, 20-25, 25-16)
Cucine Lube Civitanova: De Cecco 0, Yant Herrera 24, Anzani 8, Nikolov 7, Bottolo 11, Chinenyeze 9, Gottardo 0, Balaso (L), D’Amico, Diamantini 0, Garcia Fernandez 14. N.E. Ambrose (L), Sottile. All. Blengini.
Itas Trentino: Sbertoli 5, Lavia 10, D’Heer 3, Kaziyski 16, Michieletto 12, Podrascanin 8, Nelli 0, Laurenzano (L), Dzavoronok 3. N.E. Pace, Berger, Depalma, Cavuto, Bernardis. All. Lorenzetti.
ARBITRI: Cesare (RM), Lot (TV).
PARZIALI: 25-18 (25’), 27-25 (33’), 20-25 (27’), 25-16 (22‘). Totale: 1h 47’.
NOTE: Civitanova: battute sbagliate 19, ace 12, muri 5, attacco 59%, ricezione 41% (17% perfette). Trento: battute sbagliate 15, ace 7, muri 6, attacco 49%, ricezione 45% (19% perfette). Spettatori: 4.045. MVP: Yant.
