Second game of the Italian semifinal series has been played. Trentino managed to capture second victory. Macerata has lost with Piacenza in tiebreak.

 

 

Piacenza had a different look in the second semifinal. In the first set though, they showed the same difficulty in reception, while Macerata?s dig was solid with Mirko Corsano shining again. The hosts changed its line up in the second set with Bravo and Marshall as opposite. The team seemed more balanced (13-13, then 20-20). In the end thanks mainly to Marshall and a Zlatanov ace, Piacenza tied the game.

The third set started tight but then the home side started to be inaccurate again, committing no less than 8 mistakes. Macerata is not the kind of team not to take advanatge. It was 2-1 for the guests. Piacenza?s serve in the fourth was at a different level, making it really hard for Swiderski, so much so that he was substituted by Snippe. Dunnes took over from the 9-meter line, sending his side 17-12 up, as the tie-break looked closer. Once again, Macerata got back in it (19-19, and 22-22). A Martino mistake handed Piacenza a set point but the same man made up for his mistake to tie it at 24. At the third set point, it was again Zlatanov who took care of things to send the crowd in frenzy and Piacenza in the tie-break.

Piacenza dominated the deciding set thanks to great plays from all of its players: Bjelica, Bravo, Marshall, Zlatanov, Meoni, Dunnes, and Durante all contributed to level the series at 1-1.

Giovanni Rossi (Ass coach Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza): “The game did not start so well for us. We might have been tense because of the memories of game 1. The changes turned things around, giving balance and efficiency to the team. We worked on that all season long. Our strength today was that we know we have 13 competitive players”.

Valerio Vermiglio (Lube Banca Marche Macerata): “We are very disappointed with the fourth set, when we failed to convert two important plays. But that is the beautiful side of the playoffs, when everyone gets to the top. We lacks the killer instinct and we have been punished. This is an important lesson for our young players”.

Trentino without Winiarski won also the second semifinal in tiebreak in Cuneo. Cuneo was again loosing 2-0 but managed to find the energy to tie the game before Trento snatched it in the fifth. The hosts proved once more they were a tough opponent. Grbic and co took over the clutch time again to lead the series 2-0. Despite the injuries, the level of play was excellent, and some plays had the 4.000 crowd going crazy. Game 3, which could be the last of the series, is scheduled on Saturday in Trento.

Marco Nuti (Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo): “We are very disappointed with this defeat. As always, we reached the tie-break but we can’t seem to make the game ours. We gave our all tonight again and we did a good job of taking advantage when they faded in the third and fourth set”.

Nikola Grbic (Itas Diatec Trentino): “There is little time to train during the playoffs, Cuneo played with half of the team and the players called upon did a great job. Our changes went well too, and I think all the guys had a good game”.

Italian Serie A1 semifinal results

from legavolley