Brasov (Romania), 15 January 2025

CSM Corona Brasova-Trentino Itas 1-3, the match report

Match report. Trentino Itas presents itself again in Romania exactly two months after last time, proposing a sextet with Acquarone in setting, Rychlicki as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as spikers, Flavio and Bartha as middle-blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. On the other hand, CSM Corona Brasov has Arquez in setting, Melnikov as opposite, Gommans and Stojsavljevic as spikers, Lupus and Graham as middle-blockers, and Kantor as libero. The beginning is evenly matched (4-4), then Rychlicki’s ace allows the guests to pick up the pace (7-5), but only for a moment, because a mistake by Lavia brings the competition back on the razor’s edge, but not before Melnikov offers a +2 to the home team (9-11). Trentino Itas gets nervous and the same Calabrian player makes another mistake, giving the Romanian the best advantage (11-14), which forces Soli to resort to a discretionary time out. Once the match resumes, it’s CSM Corona once again who dictates the pace (13-17), working better in defense and in the transition phase with Melnikov; Trento tries to strike back with Lavia (18-20), but the margin is too wide and CSM Corona holds it close to the very end with the guaranteed side-outs from the high-ball duo of Melnikov and Gommans (19-23 and 21-25).
The second set starts off well, with Lupu blocking the compatriot Bartha, guaranteeing the first +2 (3-5), which is immediately recomposed by an ace from Michieletto. Bartha and Rychlicki make two consecutive blocks, launching the Champions of Europe forward (7-5) and terrorizing the local team, who immediately seek refuge in a time out; but it doesn’t suffice, because Trentino Itas goes on with the show, also with Lavia and then Michieletto (12-8 and 15-9), gaining more and more ground. Brasov tries to change tactics, but without finding the pace shown in the previous set. Michieletto breaks through with an attacking strike (22-15), replicated by Lavia on the serve. The same player sends the teams to the field switch on the 1-1 with an attack that sets the 25-17.
The match is balanced again in the early part of the third set (4-4 and 6-6), with Trento accelerating thanks to Lavia (attack and block for the 12-10); however, it is a precarious advantage, because Brasov recovers immediately thanks to Gommans (12-12) and engages into a thrilling game of arm wrestling with the Italian team (14-14 and 16-17). As such, a block from Michieletto and an ace from the substitute Sbertoli are needed to create a new gap in favor of the Italians (19-17), who unfortunately struggle to keep it together (19-19). It’s then thanks to a mistake by Gommans which returns the external +2 (21-19), which the yellow-blue team protects also thanks to an ace from Michieletto (23-20); the 2-1 for Trentino Itas comes on the 25-21 with an out of bounds attack from Melnikov.
The point-by-point contest moves forward even in the fourth set (7-7 and 9-9), then Brasov takes the lead (9-12) but can’t keep the advantage because Rychlicki and Michieletto quickly seal the deal of the match. A two handed strike from Bartha turns the tables (15-14), but from then on, the teams fight point-by-point with both of them alternating the lead (16-16, 20-21 and 23-23). At the final rush, an error by Lupu (24-23) and one from Kovac bring a decisive end: 25-23 and 3-1 for Trentino Itas.

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office