Coppa Italia: Paola Egonu and teammates in the hunt for the final

Italian Cup: Numia Vero Volleyball Milan-Savino Del Bene Scandicci in the semifinals 

È A1 Italian Cup Frecciarossa time for Numia Vero Volley Milano. On Saturday, February 8 at 18:00 (live coverage by Rai Sport and VBTV), the Milanese team will take the field at the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno to face Savino Del Bene Scandicci, in a remake of last year’s semifinal.

After its Champions League success in Germany, the goal of coach Lavarini’s team, in its sixth Final Four of the competition, è clear: to win the first Italian Cup in its history. Last year, Milan had managed to overcome Scandicci at the tie-break, thus reaching the final, but had then surrendered always in five sets to Conegliano.

Besides in the Italian Cup, the two teams have clashed 29 times in the Italian championships, with an almost even balance with 15 wins for Scandicci and 14 for Milan. In this semifinal there are also numerous exes; among Scandicci’s ranks are Kara Bajema, Brenda Castillo, Beatrice Parrocchiale as well as coach Marco Gaspari who have worn the Vero Volley jersey. On the other hand, on the other side are Ludovica Guidi and Elena Pietrini who have played on the Tuscan roster.

Scandicci’s bench entrusted to Marco Gaspari, who succeeded Frenchman Antiga last October. Great return to Tuscany for Dominican Brenda Castillo, who completes the libero department with another old Vero Volley acquaintance, Beatrice Parrocchiale, and Manuela Ribechi. At setter, Serbian Ognjenovic with newcomer Gennari; the hitting department welcomed newcomers Bajema and Kotikova, confirmed instead Herbots, Ruddins, Antropova and Mingardi. Nwakalor and Carol at center were joined by the arrivals of Graziani and Mancini.