Pallavolo Padova – Bcc-Nep Castellana Grotte 2-3
(25-19; 25-17; 22-25; 19-25; 12-15)
Pallavolo Padova: Garghella (L), Tiberti 4, Cricca 10, Koshikawa 13, Polidori 8, Barcala 14, De Marchi 19, Kubiak 1, Maniero 1, Busi, Gottardo, Zingaro. Coach: Paolo Montagnani.
Bcc-Nep Castellana Grotte: Vicini (L), Mattera 1, Popelka 9, Jardel 9, Guerra 21, Castellano 5, Insalata 11, Gallotta 11, De Palma. Non entrati: Gulglielmi (L), Pagano, Giosa, Matheus. Coach: Radames Lattari.
Padova was back in its Pala Fabris gym for the quarter-final game 2 against Castellana Grotte. The team needed to win following the 3-0 defeat conceded away in game 1. The hosts got off to the better start, built a good lead and never looked back. Same as in the second set as Padova flew to a 2-0 lead. De Marchi and co seemed to lack energy in the third and Castellana got back in it. Padova could not have started the fourth set any worse (0-3, then 3-8) and it would never get closer than 3 points. Padova deserves credit for giving its best and believing in its chances in the tie-break but Castellana had the momentum and was more accurate.
Simone Tiberti (palleggiatore Pallavolo Padova): «Shame really, given the way things went, we could have sealed it earlier. Still, Castellana did a good job of getting back in the game, while we faded and lost our focus. We are disappointed but we must congratulate them”.
