Ravenna facing Prata

Little time to enjoy the satisfactory outcome of a season which saw Consar finish in fourth place (last year they were eighth), with 17 victories (5 more) and 52 points (13 more than last season). Tomorrow, at 8pm, at the Pala De Andrè, it is already time for the playoffs, for game 1 of the quarter-finals, to which the teams placed from second to seventh have qualified. The three winners will reach Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina in the semifinals, which finished at the top. The other two matches are scheduled today: Cuneo-Porto Viro and Siena-Brescia.
“We distributed the points equally in the first leg and the second leg – Marco Bonitta’s assessment begins here – despite a somewhat hit-and-miss start, from which we recovered. The progress of our championship so far is perfectly in line, perhaps even a little further, compared to initial expectations, because we have arrived really close to the second and third and we have been quite far behind in the sixth and seventh. It’s a small goal achieved but it’s always something very satisfying. Our last three games were very delicate because we couldn’t afford any missteps and we knew we had to win all three by three points. This put us in a position to get to the playoffs with a good rhythm, given that we play immediately. We arrive without having to hope for who knows what but with a lot of energy and great enthusiasm.”
Consar faces Tinet Prata of Pordenone, who finished in fifth place, two points behind, but with an identical score to that of Goi and his companions and a set won more (61-60). Race 2 will be scheduled for Monday 1 April at 7pm in Pordenone, the possible race 3 again in Romagna on Sunday 7 April at Pala Costa, at 6pm, given the unavailability of Pala De Andrè. The two previous seasons speak of two matches ending in a tie-break, with a victory for each side and also last year in Friuli it ended in a tie-break after Ravenna’s 3-1 success at home.
“Aside from the final placing, Tinet had an excellent championship – recalls the Consar coach – and is playing very well. At home, then, it beat us and Cuneo and it is also very competitive away.” There are the conditions for another two very balanced and close matches. “They have two players who have already won the A2, Terpin and Scopelliti, the setter Alberini reached the final last year. I am referring to players who have already had the experience of playing playoffs for the highest objective, and they will certainly put this factor into play.”