The clock showed 8.29pm when Semeniuk smashed the winning ball to the ground. The heaviest for Sir Susa Vim Perugia, the new Italian volleyball champion team. A second time for Perugia, who had already sewn the tricolor on their shirt in the 2017-18 season. Six seasons later the team of owner Gino Sirci found an encore. He did it by beating Mint Vero Volley Monza at home in a fiery championship final. The Block Devils closed the practice in game 4, won at the Opiquad Arena with a comeback: 1-3 the final (25-19, 23-25, 25-27, 20-25). Comeback that’s worth poker for Perugia. This year, Sir, out of the big leagues of Europe (where they will return next season), won everything they could win: the Super Cup, the Italian Cup and the Club World Cup. A true triumph.
Yesterday, one of the protagonists of the evening, captain Wilfredo Leon, who left Italy with joy in his heart, raised the last trophy that enriches the Juventus palmares (now at 13 titles). “I’m very happy, I thank God,” said the Cuban-Pole who filmed the award ceremony with a video camera attached to his celebratory shirt. Leon remembered “the months where the suffering never ended”, those of the injury that kept him away from the pitch for a long time. As a champion, he never stopped believing in it, finding a leading role in the playoffs. «Now I can say that I am very happy to have finally brought a medal of valor for the fans who believed in it until the end». In Monza the SIR was supported by 500 Sirmaniacs. A block of white t-shirts that made their way through the bedlam of the Opiquad Arena. The president of the Volleyball League, Massimo Righi, complimented the fans. «It was a wonderful championship. I congratulate the two fans, they gave a goosebumps-inducing show in the stands. Support like this is an advertisement for our sport.”
THE STRENGTH OF THE GROUP
A volleyball increasingly tinged with black and white. Thanks to a united group and a strong technical guide, that of Angelo Lorenzetti. He becomes the first SuperLega coach to win the scudetto in four different cities: Modena, Piacenza, Trento and now Perugia. A record. But more than personal titles, Lorenzetti thought about his family after winning the championship. In the first interview after the championship he greeted his parents, “two over ninety-year-olds who are in Fano and managed to see me”. «We talk about teams that never give up, they are the real tough ones who don’t give up, lots of stuff». Monza gets off to a better start, pushed by Takahashi (6-8). Some inaccuracies by Ben Tara (11-9) and a good block (16-13), a thorn in Sir’s side, help the Brianza team. Lorenzetti fields Leon, but the road remains uphill (20-14). Giannelli finds oxygen for Perugia, but the set is compromised (25-19). At the changeover Perugia raises the wall (2-4). Monza’s response was immediate with Di Martino, but the pace changed (12-8). Herrera’s arrival charges the Bianconeri, who are more concrete in attack (17-18). Final close to the wire, with Perugia dragged by Giannelli (23-25). Maar and his teammates try to reset (2-3), but Perugia has changed its skin (10-15). Colaci shines, covering everything, but especially Leon (25-27). With his shots, the fourth set sees Perugia as the protagonist. Quick start with Herrera (7-9), then head to head and weight gains (10-12 and 10-16). Leon show in the final (17-20 and 19-24), with the last point scored by Semeniuk (20-25).
Monza: Kreling 1, Takahashi 14, Di Martino 5, Loeppky 15, Maar 20, Galassi 12, Morazzini (L), Visic, Mujanovic, Gaggini (L), Szwarc 2. NE: Comparoni, Beretta. All.: Here they are.
Perugia: Giannelli 8, Plotnytskyi 9, Flavio 8, Ben Tara 4, Semeniuk 6, Russo 7, Toscani (L), Held, Herrera 7, Leon 25, Colaci (L), Ropret. NE: Candellaro, Solé. All.: Lorenzetti.
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