The A2 playoff final will be a southern derby between Molfetta and Castellana Grotte. Di Pinto’s boys eventually grabbed their ticket to the final at the end of a long semi-final series, in which Segrate forced them to the wire and the deciding game 5.
The band of Massimo Ecchelo only surrendered at the end of a long tie-break, which ends a season for them in which they have been at the top from start to finish. They also had a run in the cup, only losing in the final, again at the hands of Castellana Grotte.
On Sunday, the final series will begin with game 2 as Castellana is given a 1-0 lead earned on its better regular season position (there was a difference of 2 points between the two teams). Newly promoted and surprise of the season, Molfetta reached the final after knocking out Città di Castello in the semis 3-0.
No matter what happens, the Puglia region will be able to celebrate as one city will be represented in the elite next season.
Result
BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte-Crazy Diamond Segrate 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10)
BCC-NEP CASTELLANA GROTTE – CRAZY DIAMOND SEGRATE 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10)
BCC-NEP CASTELLANA GROTTE: Cazzaniga 28, Elia 2, Ricciardello, Agrusti (L), Falaschi 2, Castellano 7, Torre, Rodriguez 11, Salgado 9, Maric, Giosa 3, Tavares 7, Cicola (L). Coach. Di Pinto.
CRAZY DIAMOND SEGRATE: Fabroni 3, Van Den Dries 19, Pesaresi (L), Alletti 11, Pinelli, Botto 15, Russo 1, Baranek 23, Spairani 7, Canzanella. DNP Radunovic, Braga, Caprotti. Coach. Eccheli.
FINAL
Sunday May 20 at 6pm – GAME 2
Pallavolo Molfetta (3) – BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte (2)
Wednesday May 23 at 8.30pm – GAME 3
BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte (2) – Pallavolo Molfetta (3) Live on Sportitalia 2
Sunday May 27 at 4pm – GAME 4 (If needed)
Pallavolo Molfetta (3) – BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte (2) Live on Sportitalia 2
Wednesday May 30 – GAME 5 (If needed)
BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte (2) – Pallavolo Molfetta (3)
Castellana Grotte 3 | ||||||
Loreto 2 | 3-0; 2-3; 3-2 | 2 BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte 3 | ||||
0-3; 3-2; 3-2 | Loreto 1 | |||||
Santa Croce 1 | 2-3; 3-0; 2-3; 3-2 | 2 BCC-NEP Castellana Grotte 1 | ||||
Sora 1 | ||||||
1-3; 2-3; 1-3 | 6 Crazy Diamond Segrate 2 | |||||
Segrate 3 | ||||||
Serie A1 2012/13 |
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Molfetta 3 |
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Genova 2 | 0-3; 3-0; 3-0 | 3 Pallavolo Molfetta 3 | ||||
3-2; 2-3; 3-0 | Genova 1 | |||||
Corigliano 1 | 3-1; 3-2 | 3 Pallavolo Molfetta 0 | ||||
Città di Castello 3 | ||||||
3-1; 3-2 | 4 Gherardi SVI Città di Castello 0 | |||||
Milano 0 | ||||||