Calzedonia Verona – Bunge Ravenna 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 21-25) – Calzedonia Verona: Baranowicz 2, Kovacevic 12, Anzani 4, Stern 5, Randazzo 3, Zingel 5, Ferreira 0, Giovi (L), Frigo (L), Lecat 8, Djuric 4, Mengozzi 0, Paolucci 0. Coach Grbic. Bunge Ravenna: Spirito 3, Lyneel 13, Ricci 4, Torres 16, Van Garderen 10, Bossi 9, Marchini (L), Goi (L), Raffaelli 0. DNP Calarco, Leoni, Grozdanov, Kaminski. Coach Soli. REFEREES: Frapiccini, Pozzato. NOTES – set: 22′, 24′, 27′; tot: 73′. Attendance: 2.578. MVP: Torres.
Tomorrow at 20.30 at AGSM Forum LPR Piacenza and Bunge Ravenna will face each other in the Playoff Challenge big final, a pass for Europe in next season, via Challenge Cup.
After the 3-1 win of Lpr Piacenza versus Gi Group in the first semifinal, it was the time of home team Calzedonia Verona to step on the court to face Bunge Ravenna.
Favourite Verona found a fighting Ravenna, first set was a balanced one, with Bunge who stepped in the crunch time, winning the partial 25-22. In second Nikola Grbic’s team tried to fight back, but suffering Ravenna’s fundamental of serve. An ace of Bossi on Giovi gave the set point to Bunge on 24-22, closing the set on 25-22. With Ravenna in front 2-0, Calzedonia tried to fight back again, starting third set in the right way, but falling once again under the attacks of Ravenna, who took the lead and never looked back, winning third set 25-21 and clinching the big final spot, despite their initial status of underdog.
Favourite Verona found a fighting Ravenna, first set was a balanced one, with Bunge who stepped in the crunch time, winning the partial 25-22. In second Nikola Grbic’s team tried to fight back, but suffering Ravenna’s fundamental of serve. An ace of Bossi on Giovi gave the set point to Bunge on 24-22, closing the set on 25-22. With Ravenna in front 2-0, Calzedonia tried to fight back again, starting third set in the right way, but falling once again under the attacks of Ravenna, who took the lead and never looked back, winning third set 25-21 and clinching the big final spot, despite their initial status of underdog.
Stefano Bianchini (DG Calzedonia Verona): “Ravenna played very well, they hurted us in our weaknesses, on tonight the best team won. We are disappointed to lose once again Play Off Challenge Final Four, playing in front of our fans and being the hosting team”.
Fabio Soli (Bunge Ravenna): “We are very happy for this win, I’m satisfied of our game. We stepped on the court trying to honour our great season, growing up game by game. On tonight we played a consistant game, versus an opponent who firmly wanted this Big final spot. We had continuity in serve, good in reception, putting Spirito in the best conditions to set all the team. Now we will have to do the same in the final versus Piacenza, playing with the same intensity and consistency”.
