Ljubljana (Slovenia), 10 January 2024

ACH Volley Ljubljana-Trentino Itas 0-3, the match report

Trentino Itas presented a different starting lineup in Lubljana compared to the usual, as was the case in the first leg match on November 23 at home. Soli gave Michieletto and Laurenzano a rest, placing instead Magalini in diagonal with Lavia and Pace as libero. Completing the formation were Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Kozamernik and Podrascanin in the middle. ACH Volley Ljubljana responded with Markovic as setter, Gjorgiev as opposite, Pokersnik and Sket as spikers, Koncilja and Videcnik in the middle, and Kovacic as libero. The impact of the yellow-blue team was positive (4-2, 8-4): Podrascanin and his teammates started strong in both attack and block, immediately putting pressure on the opponents' attackers. In the middle part, after securing a maximum advantage (14-9), Trento lost focus and was caught by Gjorgiev's surge, which, with attacks and blocks, allowed the opponents to equalize at 17-17 and then take the lead (17-19, Sket blocked Rychlicki, and Gjorgiev scored on the counterattack). The Italian Champions remained composed and levelled the score thanks to Rychlicki, leading to a fiercely contested ending where both teams reached extra points. Soli's team saved two set points for the opponents and had to wait until 32-30 (fifth opportunity) to switch sides with a 1-0 lead thanks to a block by Sbertoli.
In the second set, Trentino Itas once again had a better start (4-2), and continued their dominance (9-6 and 11-7) with the efficiency of Rychlicki and Podrascanin at the net. Ljubljana tried to come back in this set as well (14-17), but Trento had learned their lesson and resumed with the same Kamil and Kozamernik's serves (22-15). Podrascanin's block on Videcnik at 25-16 sealed the victory, securing the top spot in the group and direct access to the quarter-finals.
In the third set, the balance lasted until 7-7, with changes of momentum, but then Sbertoli's serves (including two direct aces) created a gap (11-7). Trento was an unstoppable force that ACH Volley couldn't halt, especially since Magalini consistently delivered from area 4 (16-11 and 21-15). The 3-0, at 25-18, came quickly.

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office