The Game 5 defeat in the promotion playoff against Conad Reggio Emilia still stings, but there’s no time for regrets at Domotek Volley. Sporting Director Cesare Pellegrino immediately analyzes the match that ended their Serie A2 dream, but is already looking ahead with determination to the upcoming fixtures, starting with the final of the Del Monte Supercoppa. After the national competition, the first round of the playoff semifinals will be played on Sunday, April 19, 2026, against Aqui Terme to advance to Serie A2. The first round will be held in Valenza, away to the Piedmontese team on April 25, and the return match will be played on May 1, 2026, at Palacalafiore, using the Golden Set format.
“Congratulations to Conad. What a challenge it was? Let’s start from here: congratulations to Reggio Emilia for direct promotion, but it was a fantastic match, ball for ball, a series that saw both Reggio Emilia and our team consistently in the spotlight. I absolutely must applaud the fans, who were numerous and supported us despite the 8:30 AM start of the Wednesday match. So, a warm salute to them.
A bitter elimination, but one we faced with the knowledge that we fought on equal terms against a battleship. “It was an epic series,” Pellegrino emphasizes, “that we will all carry in our hearts against a great opponent. We need to reset and start again on Sunday. It won’t be easy, but that’s also what sport is all about: honor the opponent and then we’ll start again.”
“Now we’re starting again: on Sunday we play against Reggio Emilia, again at the Palabigi, in this Super Cup. We certainly want to make a good impression, to have a great final. And we mustn’t forget our positive run so far. Then, next week, we begin this playoff phase. Never give up.”
“Meanwhile, we hope to get Mancinelli back, who was unlucky. He had an injury on the second serve of the first set, which will now be evaluated. We expect our warm Reggio fans, who are supporting us and have supported us throughout the championship, to come. So let’s move forward. We’re starting again, and we’ll do so with the same hunger as before.”
