A surprise Final Promotion is served. A “southern derby” to the best of three games is coming. Two teams returning from the Blue Group will confront each other under the net, starting at 19.00 on Sunday 14 May. Farmitalia Catania, leader of the Regular Season until a few days from the end and then being overtaken by Ortona (already promoted to Serie A2 thanks to victory in the Promotion Play-off), and Leo Shoes Casarano, sixth at the end of the first phase and protagonist of a fairy tale in Salento sauce in the direct clashes of the A2 Credem Banca Play Offs.
The Etna citizens eliminated Bari in the round of 16 with a double 3-0, while in the quarterfinals they struggled at PalaCatania with Savigliano establishing himself in the photo finish and then closing the accounts with the maximum difference in Piedmont. The true masterpiece of the Sicilian group arrived in the Semifinal with Pineto, both in Game 1 thanks to the 3-1 away win, and in the second round with the comeback from 0-2 and a victory after the tie break.
In the first round, the Apulian team won the tie break at home with Palmi and then prevailed 3-1 in Calabria. The quarterfinals’ sporting battle with Parma opened with a 3-1 win in Emilia and ended with Leo Shoes’ backlash in the tie break at the PalaCesari. The pinnacle of competitive spirit was reached in the Semifinal against Fano, the team that won the Girone Bianco. Fallen 3-1 in the Marches in the first match, the Salento giants raised their voice in the second home game and then conquered PalaAllende 3-1.
Catania and Casarano have faced each other four times in their history, with the balance in perfect equality; both successes for the Apulians came in the current season, with a 3-2 home win in the first leg, and a privateer victory in three sets in the second leg.
The two teams are ready to chase a great result. The islanders enjoy the favorable field factor in Game 1 and in the eventual Game 3, but Casarano has reached the last act and wants to do everything to make his dream come true, at home and away.
Game 1 Final – Play Offs A3 Credem Banca
Sunday 14 May 2023, 7.00 pm
Farmitalia Catania – Leo Shoes Casarano
Referees: Nava Stefano, Ciaccio Giovanni
Video Check: Galletti Gabriele
Scorekeeper: Beninato Carlo
Live YouTube Legavolley
The A3 Credem Banca Play Offs – Final Stage
https://www.legavolley.it/resultati/?Anno=2022&IdCampionato=902
