One more win in Europe for Verona. This one comes in the Challenge Cup final first leg at the expense of Fakel Novy Urengoy. The Italians took a 2-0 lead before letting the Russians back in it. However, they found the resources to go and get the victory in the fifth set in front of over 4000 fans in the PalaOlimpia arena. Kovacevic scored 27 points and was named MVP of the game.
In the tie-break, Verona sprinted off the starting blocks with a 2-0 lead. An Anzani block on Iakovlev maintained this advantage (6-4) but the Russians fought back and tied it. Kovacevic found a block to make it 12-10 while a mistake from Fakel handed Verona the advantage in this final (15-13).
CALZEDONIA VERONA – FAKEL NOVY URENGOY 3-2 (25-18, 27-25, 18-25, 23-25, 15-13) CALZEDONIA VERONA : Zingel 9, Kovacevic 27, Pesaresi (L), Gitto 1, Spirito 2, Baranowicz 3, Starovic 12, Bellei, Sander 18, Anzani 7. DNP Lecat, Bucko. Coach. Giani.
FAKEL NOVY URENGOY : Vlasov 4, Likhosherstov 9, Kolodinskiy 3, Shipotko, Iakovlev 2, Bogdan, Tiurin 17, Shishkin (L), Volkov 16, Bezrukov 2, Tokhtash, Kliuka 19. Coach. Chutchev.
