Scandicci grants encore at World Club Championships
As against the hosts of Osasco São Cristóvão Saúde came Savino Del Bene Volleyball’s second 3-0 victory in the World Club Championships, a success of great weight because it came in a crucial match to get closer to the goal of closing round A in first place. Coach Gaspari’s lineup was able to impose itself in an environment made red-hot by the home torcida, showing solidity in key moments and great continuity throughout the three sets. In the first fraction, after a long point-to-point and the maximum Brazilian lead at 16-13, Savino Del Bene Volleyball came back thanks to Antropova, Skinner and Weitzel, finding in the advantages the decisive blow: Antropova’s wall on Cugno and Baird’s final error for the 29-31.
The second set saw Scandicci start with pace and precision: Skinner leading the way and Antropova incisive on serve, while a wall by Weitzel marked the decisive break before the close signed by Antropova (22-25). In the third set the Italian team quickly took control, with Nwakalor and Weitzel dominating at the net and Skinner devastating on the counterattack: partial always in the hands of Savino Del Bene Volley, which stretched to the final 15-25. On a statistical level, the individual performances of Skinner, scorer of 23 points, and Antropova, who put up 21 points, stood out. On the team level, Savino Del Bene Volleyball finished with 54 percent attack, 48 percent positive reception (26 percent perfect), 9 winning walls and 4 aces, showing an overall performance superior to that of the opponents.
“It was a great match because, as much as it is said that the Italians are destined for the final, we knew we were playing against a very well organized team, and in my opinion with very interesting elements – the comment of coach Marco Gaspari -. We knew it would be a difficult match, especially in a wonderful arena. As opponents clearly we had the fans against us, however, the opposing supporters were continuous: it was a total din. We knew they were going to attack us in the first part of the match, and they did. I am very proud of the girls, because they had the patience at the top moments to pick the right shot and do what we had prepared. We were not as good as we can be at the wall, however, there is also credit to the opponent. So bravo to the girls. We have to end the round in first place, and to do that, tomorrow we have to play another game with a less emblazoned opponent (ed, Club Alianza Lima), but one that played well in the first two games. So maximum attention, and then we think about the rest one game at a time.”
Today, Thursday, Dec. 11, Savino Del Bene Volleyball will return to the court for the third match in Pool A against the Peruvians of Club Alianza Lima. The match is scheduled at 5 p.m. local (9 p.m. Italian time) in the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu.
