Trento, 20 October 2024

Itas Trentino-Valsa Group Modena 3-1, the match report

Match report: Itas Trentino is missing only the third middle blocker, Bartha (who is replaced on the bench by young Sandu), while coach Fabio Soli decides to stick with the starting six he has used throughout the season: Sbertoli as the setter, Gabi Garcia as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as outside hitters, Kozamernik and Flavio Gualberto in the middle, and Laurenzano as libero. Valsa Group Modena responds with De Cecco as setter, Buchegger as opposite, Gutierrez and Rinaldi as outside hitters, Sanguinetti and Anzani in the middle, and Federici as libero. The European Champions have a better impact on the match, jumping ahead 2-0 and then 5-3, led by Michieletto and then boosted to +4 by Kozamernik (10-6). Giuliani calls a timeout, but upon resuming, his team fails to turn the tide; instead, Trento pulls away (17-11) with two consecutive aces from Sbertoli. This serves as a decisive moment in the set, as the home team, despite easing off a bit (22-18 and 23-21), manages to close it out fairly comfortably, led towards the 25-22 finish primarily by Gabi Garcia’s attacks.
The start of the second set is more balanced, with Valsa Group immediately countering Michieletto's attempt to pull away (5-3) and leveling the score at 7. A net error by Alessandro gives the guests their first lead of the match (9-10), which is then doubled by a winning block from Anzani on Michieletto’s pipe attack (11-13). Trento is less fluid than usual in their side-out phase and gives their opponents opportunities, allowing Buchegger to help them soar to a 14-17 lead, prompting Soli to call a timeout. Upon resuming, the Modena team maintains their advantage (17-20, 18-23) and equalizes the sets with a score of 19-25, thanks to a back-row attack from Rinaldi.
After the change of field, Itas Trentino attempts to get back into shape and with Micheletto (ace and attack) it immediately scores (6-3). Even in this situation, the Emilians immediately climb back up and with a block by De Cecco against Gabi Garcia they already point the arrow to a 7-8 (local time out). The battle continues point by point, with the two teams taking turns leading: Modena focuses on attacking, Trento responds to their attack, but the Emilians seem to have a bit more, as shown by the break points from Buchegger and Rinaldi that give them a +3 lead (14-17). Soli calls another timeout, and upon resuming play, his team quickly finds the equalizer (19-19) thanks to blocking and counterattacking. The final sprint is thrilling and uncertain (21-21) and is decided by a break point from Gabi Garcia on attack and a subsequent block by Kozamernik and Michieletto on Buchegger (25-23).
The Valsa Group does not give up and starts the fourth set better than the home team (1-4), forcing them to retreat back to their bench almost immediately. A block by Kozamernik on Anzani and an ace by Flavio nearly close the gap (6-7), but the tie comes two rallies later, at 8-8, with a stunning pipe by Michieletto after a long rally. Rychlicki now replaces Gabi Garcia on the court, but it's Flavio who makes the difference, with another great block on Sanguinetti that gives them the lead and the stretch (12-10), also thanks to a net error by Buchegger. Lavia defends the lead twice (15-13 and 17-15), then Sbertoli seals a +3 lead with an ace (19-16); the visitors, with Rinaldi, respond with a 1-4 break to tie the score at 20. It's another sprint finish (22-22), this time decided in extra points: Michieletto clinches it on the third match point (28-26).

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