Cucine Lube Civitanova-LPR Piacenza 3-2 (25-12, 23-25, 25-15, 24-26, 15-13);
Diatec Trentino-Azimut Modena – upcoming
Diatec Trentino-Azimut Modena – upcoming
Cucine Lube Civitanova – LPR Piacenza 3-2 (25-12, 23-25, 25-15, 24-26, 15-13) – Cucine Lube Civitanova: Christenson 7, Juantorena 16, Stankovic 12, Sokolov 32, Kovar 10, Candellaro 9, Grebennikov (L), Pesaresi 0, Cebulj 0. D.N.P. Casadei, Corvetta, Cester, Kaliberda. Coach Blengini.
LPR Piacenza: Hierrezuelo 7, Clevenot 9, Alletti 1, Hernandez Ramos 31, Marshall 8, Tencati 4, Papi (L), Parodi 1, Yosifov 1, Manià (L), Cottarelli 1, Tzioumakas 0. D.N.P. Zlatanov, Di Martino. Coach Giuliani.
REFEREES: Sandro La Micela, Giorgio Gnani.
NOTES – sets: 22′, 31′, 22′, 31′, 22′; tot: 128′.
LPR Piacenza: Hierrezuelo 7, Clevenot 9, Alletti 1, Hernandez Ramos 31, Marshall 8, Tencati 4, Papi (L), Parodi 1, Yosifov 1, Manià (L), Cottarelli 1, Tzioumakas 0. D.N.P. Zlatanov, Di Martino. Coach Giuliani.
REFEREES: Sandro La Micela, Giorgio Gnani.
NOTES – sets: 22′, 31′, 22′, 31′, 22′; tot: 128′.
It was a great volleyball showdown at Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno in front of 7540 fans, for the first semifinal between Cucine Lube Civitanova and LPR Piacenza.
Lube won after a suffered game, with underdog Piacenza who fought back two times in second and fourth set, forcing the game at the tie break.
After an easy stoart for Lube, winner in first set 25-12, the team of Alberto Giuliani reacted inthe second with a great performance in attack of Fernando Hernandez (31 points with 54% in attack).
Lube won easily once again the third 25-15 but in fourth LPR stepped up, coming back and winning the set 26-24, with more than 1000 fans arrived in Bologna from Piacenza crazy for enthusiasm.
In the tie-break Civitanova rode the great shape of Sokolov, best scorer with 32 points (67% in attack), and brough home the win 15-13, suffering alot but conquering the big final.
Gianlorenzo Blengini (Coach Cucine Lube Civitanova): “I was waiting for a tough opponent and I was right. It was a great match, in second and fourth we had the chance to close the game, but we lost those chances. Honour to Piacenza, a team with great players who want to win. In first set we were perfect, in second we had troubles in reception and on the opposite side versus Hernandez. I’m happy of this win, our team is built to winand now we have to do another step, tomorrow will be very tough. We look forward, thinking game by game”.
Dragan Stankovic (Cucine Lube Civitanova): “Finally we’ve back to the big final in Italian Cup after three losses in a row. Piacenza eliminated Perugia and today they showed their strength. After the first set, where we won easily, all the game has been on the edge. We stepped up in the tie-break, coming back after a bad start, versus a team very confindent for the coming back in the fourth. We waited the right moment, and in the end, one play made the difference”.
Leonel Marshall (LPR Piacenza): “I’m very happy of our team. This kind of games can give us the confidence to play versus everyone without fear. We were so near to the win. In first set Civitanova put us in toruble in reception and in conflict zone, we knew they were a great team, and they showed sisnce the first set. Thanks to all the fans who follow us here, fans who showed us all ther love for the team”.
Luca Tencati (LPR Piacenza): “We are very sad about the tie-break, especially for the final plays. About the game, we were good, we played a good game, we matched Civitanova”.
