Series B male PromoPharma-Potenza Picena 3 to 2 (25/17 22/25 25/18 17/25 15/8)
Referees: Riccardo Falomo (1st) Paolo Salaris (2nd).
The victory in the tie-break on Saturday 4 January at Pala Casadei over Potenza Picena is enough to guarantee the salvation of PromoPharma San Marino also thanks to the simultaneous defeats of Forlì and Ravenna. The boys led by coach Marco Ricci have thus guaranteed their sixth consecutive season in the fourth national series. The match was close and the Marche players, who had nothing to ask for from the championship, still tried to bring home the victory, without giving anything away. The titans, without their opposite number Marcovecchio, who was injured, and other players in less than perfect health, still played a good game with the usual Kiva and Frascio “bombing” the opposing defense and joined by a strong-willed Bernardi. The central defender scored 11 points with 6 point blocks.
News. PromoPharma immediately takes control of the game (11/4 at the first guest time-out), thanks to effective attacks well orchestrated by the setter Rondelli and a few too many errors from the opponents in attack. After the time-out Potenza Picena reacts with a 5-point break (11/9) but the hosts respond with a 5-1 counter-break (16/10). It is the decisive moment of the set because the guests do not find a way to react and continue to make mistakes, while the San Marino players continue to crush and defend effectively. It closes on 25/17. The second set has a very balanced start (6/5) with Kiva and Frascio keeping PromoPharma ahead in the score. Points also arrive from the center, the Marche players continue to make a few too many mistakes and the points gap widens (12/6 at time-out). After the time-out the Potentini have an important reaction as in the first set, they go to 13/12, and reopen the set and match. We continue shoulder to shoulder until 20 all when an attacking error by the local team and a goal block by the visitors create a gap that turns out to be decisive (22/25). The third half of the game opens with the titans precise in blocking and in attack who immediately make an important breakthrough (6/1). They build the entire set on this initial gap, always keeping their opponents at a distance until the end (25/18). In the fourth half Potenza Picena started strongly (4/9) and forced San Marino into a time-out. The guests give nothing away while the Titans appear very tense and foul. On 6/12 coach Ricci changes the diagonal (Muccioli/Paganelli for Rondelli/Kiva) in search of new solutions. The titans get close to 13/16 but suffer another break (13/19) which precludes their hopes of returning to the set (17/25). The tie-break is one-way: PromoPharma starts better (3/0) and changes sides at 8/3. The rest of the tiebreaker slipped away without too much trouble. It closes on 8/15 and the party can begin.
PromoPharma scoreboard: Benvenuti 5, Carigi 3, Kiva 16, Frascio 24, Bernardi 11, Rondelli, Rizzi (L1), Paganelli 2, Muccioli. NE Conti, Volpinari, Ricci, Bacciocchi (L2). Ace 3. Error serves 11. Point blocks 9. Coach Marco Ricci.
Potenza Picena scoreboard: Monti 1, Nobili 14, Sassi 1, Donati 5, Talevi 12, Vignaroli 8, Oberto (L1), Facchi 8, Bernacchini 14, Valla 2, Minelli. NE Pastocchi, Gaspari, Negro (L2). Ace 5. Error serves 17. Point blocks 7. Coach Matteo Zamponi.
Classification: Begin Volley Collemarino 63, La Nef Osimo 55, Sabini Castelferretti 51, 4 Torri Ferrara 44, Paoloni Macerata 39, Loreto 35, Sab Group Rubicone San Mauro Pascoli 33, Potenza Picena 31, PromoPharma 26, Querzoli Forlì 20, Pietro Pezzi Ravenna 20, Novavetro San Severino Marche 17, Lube Civitanova 16.
Next round (matchday 26 – last of the championship). Sabini Castelferretti – PromoPharma. Saturday 11 May, 6pm, in Falconara.
Federvolley San Marino press office
