The Croatian national team had the better of Padova in a friendly game played in the Kioene Arena. Croatia is getting ready for the European Championships and Padova will certainly not have any regrets or anger about this defeat.
“In the first two sets, Croatia had its starting line-up and played at its best to prepare for the European Championships – explained coach Baldovin – We did not make many mistakes which is what I had asked the boys to focus on”. Setter Orduna and outside hitter Giannotti combined superbly, the first also scored 6 points (2 aces, 2 blocks), while Giannotti tallied 19 points at 40% in attack. Out in recent weeks because of a sprained ankle, the Austrian spiker Alexander Berger made his come-back today and played three sets. Next is a home game against Ravenna on Friday.
Tonazzo Padova – Croazia 1-3 (23-25; 27-29; 25-23; 19-25)
Tonazzo Padova: Orduna 6, Giannotti 19, Volpato 7, Averill 7, Milan 12, Lazzaretto 13, Balaso (L); Leoni 1, Berger, Diamantini 2. DNP: Cook, Bassanello (L). Coach: Valerio Baldovin.
Croatia: Zhukouski 3, Galic 12, Omrcen 13, Vulin 5, Kovacevic 7, Zelenika 8, Sarcevic (L); Skocic 1, Raic 15, Sestan 8, Peterlin 3, Krnic. DNP: Glavurdic (L), Mihalj. Coach: Igor Simuncic.
