Rana Verona-Valsa Group Modena 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19)
Rana Verona: Spirito 2, Amin 19, Keita 21, Dzavoronok 16, Cortesia 8, Grozdanov 1, D’Amico (L), Zingel, Sani, Mozic. NE: Jovovic, Bonisoli (L), Zanotti, Mosca. All. Stoychev.
Valsa Group Modena: Mossa de Rezende, Sapozhkov 19, Rinaldi 2, Davyskiba 24, Brehme 7, Sanguinetti 9, Federici (L), Pinali R. 5, Sighinolfi, Boninfante. NE: Stankovic, Pinali G., Gollini, Menchetti (L). All. Giuliani.
Set duration: 30′, 27′, 32′, 25′ – total: 114′
Attendance: 2028. MVP: Keita (Rana Verona)
Modena begins the match with the sextet composed of Bruno-Sapozhkov in the main diagonal, Rinaldi-Davyskiba on the flank, Sanguinetti-Brehme in the center and Federici libero. Verona responds with Spirito as dribbler, Esmaeilnezhad as opposite, Keita-Dzavoronok as matelli, Grozdanov-Cortesia as central defenders and D’Amico as libero. The Canaries started off strong immediately, with a winning attack by Sapozhkov and 6-8 after the first exchanges. We continue on the edge of balance, first half by Brehme for 12-12. Dzavoronok’s ace gives the home team a double advantage, 17-15. Verona insists, Rinaldi blocked for 20-17 and Modena timeout. Despite Giuliani’s team’s attempts to recover, the Venetians maintained a high level of concentration until the end and won the first set 25-22 with a final error by Davyskiba while serving. Good start for Modena in the second set, block by Sanguinetti on Esmaeilnezhad for 6-9 and Verona timeout. However, the home team didn’t give up an inch, a block suffered by Sapozhkov to make it 13-14 and a Modena timeout. From here on, it’s a point-to-point battle: Giuliani’s team mainly exploits the serve and with two aces, first Davyskiba and then Sanguinetti, they move to 18-21. Verona goes back immediately, Sapozhkov is blocked twice in a row and it therefore reaches 21-21 with Modena timeout. The Canaries struggled to react, Verona insisted and, dragged by its audience, also took home the second set: 25-22 with a final point from Keita and 2-0. At the start of the third set, the Venetian yellow-blues immediately put the accelerator on the accelerator: ace from Dzavoronok for 10-7 and Modena forced to chase after the first exchanges. Verona takes advantage of its block but not only that, 13-8 and Modena timeout. Despite the difficulties, the Canaries remained in the game and regained parity at 20-20 with Roberto Pinali scoring in attack. We continue point by point, until the final seal by Davyskiba for 23-25 and 2-1 in the calculation of partial scores. Verona starts better at the beginning of the fourth set, Keita’s ace for 5-3 and Modena timeout. Esmaeilnezhad’s ace further increases the home team’s lead, 14-9 and Modena timeout. Giuliani’s team tries, but Verona remains ahead and in control of the match: Dzavoronok scores in attack and 23-18. Sapozhkov’s invasion gives the home team the victory, 25-19 and 3-1. Verona flies to the playoff final in fifth place, while Modena’s 2023/24 season ends here.
Photo credits Modena Volley
