Trento, scudetto one step away: Lube still knocked out
Trent-Civitanova 3-0
Chronicle of the third match of the Credem Banca 2023 Scudetto Play Off Final, played this evening at the BLM Group Arena. I 4.000 spectators of the BLM Group Arena, sold out in every order of seats for the second time in six days, welcome to the court the two formations lined up with the best possible current sextet; that of Itas Trentino, still lacking Lisinac, features Sbertoli at the director’s position and Kaziyski opposite, Michieletto and Lavia in the band, D’Heer and Podrascanin in the middle and Laurenzano as libero, while that of Cucine Lube insists on De Cecco at setter, Zaytsev opposite, Nikolov and Yant on the sides, Anzani and Chinenyeze in the middle, Balaso at libero. The first strike of the match bears the signature of Kaziyski (ace making it 4-2), who is answered by Yant in attack (6-6). The Gialloblù bring another breakthrough with the same Matey (full-arm slash) and a Zaytsev error at the net (10-8) and then again with a Michieletto wall on the guest opposite and Podrascanin’s counterattack (14-10). The Serbian center also sinks the blow with the serve (point on Balaso for 18-12) and the hosts run away fast to win the first set, dragged by the serve (22-14) and the wall (25-17).
In the second set, Blengini chooses to keep Gabi Garcia and Bottolo on the court, respectively in place of Zaytsev and Nikolov, as had happened in the finale of the previous one; the two teams fight evenly until 6-6, then Lube pushes with Yant’s serve and the wall of the same opposite sub drawing the +3 (6-9). Michieletto responds almost immediately from his side with an attack and a wall, tying the score at 11 (guest time out); later the battle becomes even more tense and level-headed (13-13, 15-15), with the protagonists exalting the audience with superlative plays. D’Heer (first half and wall on Yant) gives the domestic +3 (19-16), then Lavia signs two consecutive aces for 21-16 that propel Itas Trentino to a 2-0 lead, which comes as early as 25-20.
On the wave of enthusiasm, the Yellow-blues also got off to a great start in the third set (6-4, 10-7 and 12-7), supported by great defensive intensity and high ball scoring ability. By the middle of the set Cucine Lube had already used up both time outs at their disposal and on the return to the court they do not react anymore, also because Kaziyski between serves and attacks leaves no reply (14-8 and 17-9). The 3-0 lead comes quickly (20-15 and 25-16), amidst the delirium of the fans and with Džavoronok also in evidence (four points within a few exchanges).
