Trentino overcame some physical problems and the exhausting fixture list to offer a dream of a performance against Belgorod in the Champions Legaue playoffs 6 first leg. In spite of being without Djuric and Lanza, and with Kaziyski not eligible, the Italian Champions left no chance to the giants of Belgorod. A huge step towards the Final Four to be played in Krakow, Poland, in April. The Russians surrendered at the end of a match played at a rare intensity. Urnaut was unstoppable in attack, he registered 55% on 31 strikes, Solè had 67%, Giannelli was inspired in his distribution while Nelli’s contribution on the serve was key too (6 aces). In order to go through, Stoytchev’s men will now need to win two sets in the return leg.
“In order to beat Belgorod tonight, we really needed something special – said coach Stoytchev – The players understood that and they played with incredible determination from the first points. I have rarely seen a team that determined and ready to fight. I don’t think the perfect game exists, but we do work to realise it in the future. In the meantime, we have to forget immediately what we did tonight, it would be harmful not to do so because we have some crucial games coming up”.
