Conegliano-Scandicci, World Cup club final is all-Italian

World semifinal time for Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano, which at the Mercado Livre Arena in São Paulo face Osasco Sao Cristovao Saude the host team. The Brazilians topped Pool A in second place behind Savino del Bene Scandicci; the Panthers are seeking the fifth intercontinental final in their history. Coach Daniele Santarelli does not change his sextet from Thursday’s match against Dentil Praia: in the director’s chair is Wolosz, the opposite is Haak, Gabi and Zhu are the dunks, Lubian and Chirichella the middlewomen, De Gennaro is the libero. For Osasco, coach Luizomar De Moura chooses Gray,Maiara, Larissa,Fist, Baird,Mayhara, free Brait. A couple of shots by Wolosz and Zhu give the Panthers their first real lead in the early going, Osasco is dragged by its crowd and does not concede easily (13-11). Gabiand Chirichella momentarily nabbed parity, Daalderop entered serving and Scognamillo in the second line, but the Brazilians pulled ahead. Haak and Zhu shorten, then Osasco moves ahead in the score (21-25).

Andrea Gussoni

Reaction Panthers after the first points of the second set,Haak wall for 9-7. It takes another time-out by Coach Santarelli to get the Yellowoblùs back on track,Lubian walls, then Zhu shortens (17-18, 5 in the set for the Chinese). Daalderop and Adigwe come in to send the opponent’s reception into a tailspin (20-22), Haakfinds a great corner (21-23), the muron of Chirichellamarks the tie at 23: Gabi‘s set point is the 1-1 one, which comes with a providential 7-1 partial. Carioca top scorer, 18 points with 52% attack and 1 wall. Combo wall and first half for Lubian, ace by Gabi, we start on 4-0 in the third. The Olympic champion stamps 5 points with 80% topped by 1 wall in the set. Woloszdraws another second point (7-3), there is already room for Scognamillo in the second line (10-5), the lead expands when Gabidisengages with the wall (18-14). It is again the carioca who makes the ball sing from place 4 after a perfect defense by Daalderop (23-15), Haak closes the accounts with authority (25-16, 14 points for the Swedish opposing player at the end).

Gabisteadily rises to the top as she goes, bricking for 8-5, Haakcontinues the wave with a touch of 11-5. Zhu and the Swede stick continuously (17-8), the highlander Chirichella (fourth game in a row, double digits for the powerhouse with 10 points) still has power to unload in her fast (19-11). It’s a yellow-blue monologue that continues to the victory: Zhu brings 10 matchpoints to the Panthers, the second is converted by Haak (25-16).

As eyes are already on tomorrow’s final, kickoff at 8:30 p.m.: the Panthers meet Savino del Bene Scandicci, another Italian derby in the international arena, it will be a remake of the last CEV Champions League final, won by the Gialloblù. There are 41 previous records of the match, on 36 occasions Prosecco DOC has prevailed. The match will be streamed live on DAZN and Volleyballwolrd.tv (subscription), live updates and post-match interviews will be available on Imoco Volleyball. Following the Panthers at the Mercado Livre Arena will be a group of yellow-blue fans, who have been present at all competitions in São Paulo.