Back from tough weeks of athletic training and still in reduced ranks, Cucine Lube today went through the second joint training session of its preseason. The surprise was the immediate inclusion in the starters of world champion Mattia Bottolo, who was supposed to join the group in the next few days, but who was immediately decisive. On the tricolor field of the Eurosuole Forum, the champions of Italy competed with the Med Store Tunit Macerata, a team of A3 Credem Banca included in the Girone Bianco.
The test ended with a Lube poker that won all three sets of the training match and a partial four agreed by the technicians (25-19, 25-14, 25-22, 25-19)
The progress of Chicco Blengini’s boys is evident compared to the first run with Grottazzolina, when the priorities were “to test your muscles and finish the session intact”, as Ivan Zaytsev had said. The staff turned the team around, but Marlon Yant remained at rest on the bench.
In the first set the red and white lined up with Sottile on the dribble for Garcia opposite, Diamantini and Giacomini in the center, Bottolo and Zaytsev in the band and D’Amico free. After an initial balance, Lube took off (25-19). Five points each for Bottolo, Garcia and Zaytsev.
In the second set everything was easy for Civitanova, who won 25-14 with the same formation. During the partial, Gottardo and Cremoni on the wall entered the service. Garcia highlights with 7 points.
In the third set won 25 to 22 by the hosts, Blengini let the Tsar rest using the Venetian side pair made up of Bottolo and Gottardo. During a very enjoyable final, with the inclusion of the setter Melonari in the final, Lube signed the decisive thrust.
During the fourth set agreed by the coaches, there was also room for Cremoni and Menchi in the ranks of Lube. The cooks started strong and closed 25-19.
Cucine Lube will return on court on Friday 16 September, again at the Eurosuole Forum, for the test match at 5 pm against Videx Yuasa Grottazzolina.
