Trento, 03 November 2024
Yuasa Grottazzolina-Itas Trentino 1-3, the match report
Match Summary. In Itas Trentino’s starting six, opposite Kamil Rychlicki returned to the lineup after more than a month of waiting, with coach Fabio Soli fielding him opposite Sbertoli, choosing him over Gabi Garcia. The rest of the lineup included Michieletto and Magalini (preferred over Lavia) as outside hitters, Flavio and Kozamernik as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. Grottazzolina responded with Zhukouski as setter, Cvanciger as opposite, Antonov and Tatarov on the outside, Demyanenko and Mattei in the middle, and Marchisio as libero. Perhaps due to the two changes in their starting lineup, the gialloblù started somewhat tense, immediately yielding to the opponent's serve (0-2). Michieletto attempted to rally the team (5-5), but Antonov’s serve and the Marche team’s block built the first significant lead (8-11 and 8-13), forcing the Trentino coach to call a timeout. Upon resuming play, the gialloblù gradually began to find their rhythm, with Kozamernik and Alessandro proving lethal in the transition game (14-16 and 17-18). At the peak of Trentino’s momentum in the first set, the home team reasserted themselves with Antonov and Cvanciger, building a new break (20-23) that they defended all the way to the end (22-25).
After the change of sides, Itas Trentino had to endure once more (2-4), but they equalized at 5 and then took the lead with a block from Sbertoli (6-5). Magalini’s pipe shot and Michieletto’s attack from position 4 created a further break point (11-8), forcing Ortenzi to call a timeout. Upon resuming play, the gialloblù continued to dominate, gradually extending their lead (17-13 and 19-14), aided by a very sharp serve, especially from Sbertoli. Soli’s team allowed almost nothing in response, and with Magalini very effective from the nine-meter line, they soared to a 1-1 tie, winning the set 25-18.
In the third set, the Trentino coach confirmed Gabi Garcia among the starters (he had already entered during the final moments of the previous set), and Itas Trentino quickly shook off their opponent, turning an 8-7 lead into a 12-8 advantage thanks again to Michieletto. Sbertoli effectively directed the team from the setter position and found another ace that brought the score to 18-14. This was the decisive stretch of the set, as the European champions then secured their side-out phase (22-18) with contributions from Michieletto and Flavio, ultimately taking a 2-1 lead in sets with a score of 25-21.
In the fourth set, Grottazzolina quickly fell out of the match, proving to be very error-prone. Itas Trentino took advantage of this to pull ahead early (7-4), but the home team quickly leveled the score at 7-7. A new spark was needed, and Michieletto provided it with his serve (14-12). Ortenzi called a timeout, but upon resuming play, it was still Alessandro who dominated from the nine-meter line (17-12). Yuasa Battery attempted to respond again (18-15), but the room for retaliation grew increasingly limited: the score reached 24-23, with Magalini saving the day for a final score of 25-23 that secured three points for Trentino Volley.
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