Taranto, 22 December 2024

SuperLega, Gioiella Prisma Taranto-Itas Trentino 1-3: the match report

The match report. Itas Trentino arrives in Apulia still without Kozamernik, with coach Soli choosing Romanian Bartha to take his place in the middle, alongside Flavio. The starting lineup also includes Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as outside hitters, and Laurenzano as libero. Gioiella Prisma responds with Zimmermann as setter, Gironi as opposite, Lanza and Hofer as outside hitters, D'Heer and Alonso as middle blockers, and Luzzi as libero. The match begins evenly (4-4, 8-8), then Lanza defends against Flavio and counters to give the locals the first +2 of the evening (8-10); Trento doesn't lose its composure, takes advantage of Gironi's error to tie at 13, and then Sbertoli's block on Lanza to take the lead (16-14). The margin grows (18-14) thanks to another block on the former player, but the yellow-blues can't hold onto the +4: Hofer almost completely narrows the gap (22-21), but subsequently, Itas Trentino secures the sideout with Bartha and Michieletto until 24-22, before being caught up to 24-24 again by Lanza. The European Champions have to wait until 30-30 and the eighth set point to overcome the opponents: Michieletto closes the deal with two consecutive aces, after Trento had previously saved the only Ionic opportunity to end the set at 29-30.
Riding the wave of enthusiasm from their sprint victory in the previous set, the Trentino team starts well in the second set (8-5 with Lavia standing out), but the substantial advantage lasts only briefly, as Lanza and Gironi (with their serve) quickly bring Taranto to tie at 8 and then stretch the lead to 9-11. Fabio Soli calls a timeout, but upon resumption, it is still the Ionics who assert themselves, progressively increasing their lead (13-16, 14-18, and 15-20) thanks again to the Italian pair in position 4, who score consistently. The equalizer in the set count arrives quickly, already at 19-25, with Hofer also contributing to the good moment for the red and blues.
Itas Trentino suffers a setback and starts poorly in the third set (1-4), prompting Soli to immediately call a timeout to contain the situation, which proves ineffective as Alonso blocks Rychlicki and Lanza finds an ace off Lavia's dig (1-6). However, the yellow-blues do not give up and gradually regain their ideas and energy to climb back, thanks to blocks from Sbertoli and the difficulties faced by Gironi, who has to leave the court due to cramps at 9-11. Santangelo replaces him, but Trento takes advantage of the situation to equalize at twelve with Flavio and then takes the lead (15-14) with Rychlicki. An error from the Pugliese team grants a double advantage (19-17), then Soli's team is ruthless and confidently moves towards a 2-1 lead (21-19, 23-20, and 25-20) with Michieletto and Flavio in excellent form.
Itas Trentino attempts to capitalize on this momentum in the fourth set (6-4) with Lavia, but Taranto responds with a three-hitter formation led by Lanza (7-9). Flavio’s block and then Rychlicki's play restore a +2 lead for the yellow-blues (12-10); Trento pulls ahead again (16-11) with Michieletto as Taranto repeatedly makes errors but ultimately regains its footing (20-12). The European Champions soar quickly towards victory, sealing it at 3-1, finishing with a score of 25-15.

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office