The race for the Scudetto has been drawn: Fasano – Black Devils and Brixen – Conversano in the Scudetto play-offs

The Serie A Gold Scudetto play-offs will be a duel between Puglia and Alto Adige for the umpteenth time. Sidea Group Fasano – Alperia Black Devils and Brixen – Conversano are the semi-finals that will lead to the awarding of the title. The 26th day, the last of the regular phase, which took place this evening (Saturday), decided the post-season challenges. In particular, Conversano’s inside-outside victories on the Bolzano pitch were decisive and, albeit more marginally, the home success of Sidea Group Fasano at the expense of Alperia Black Devils in a match that will be repeated in the series to be inaugurated on the 18th May.

Worth noting is the tribute from the supporters of Conversano and Fasano to Dean Turkovic, the captain of Bolzano and with an important past in the Azzurri, struggling with a health problem that has forced him away from the pitch in recent weeks. In this sense, many messages of closeness have arrived in recent days from the world of handball towards one of the most loved and appreciated athletes, from a sporting and human perspective, of the Italian movement.

The matchups for the Serie A Gold Scudetto play-offs:

PLAY-OFF | SEMI-FINALS
G1: May 18; G2: May 23; G3 (possible): 25 May
Sidea Group Fasano – Alperia Black Devils
Brixen – Conversano

PLAY-OFF | THE FINAL
G1: May 29; G2: June 1st; G3 (possible): 3 June
Scudetto final

Game-1 is played at the home of the worst ranked team (Black Devils and Conversano); game-2 and game-3 at the home of the best classified

At the same time, the play-outs that will be called into question will also be played. The first round of the play-offs for salvation will be distributed between 18, 23 and possibly 25 May.

The play-out pairings:

PLAY OUT | 1st SHIFT
G1: May 18; G2: May 23; G3 (possible): 25 May
Macagi Cingoli – Secchia Rubiera
Pressano – Trieste

PLAY OUT | 2nd SHIFT
G1: May 29; G2: June 1st; G3 (possible): 3 June
The losers of the 1st round face each other

Race-1 is held at the home of the worst classified (Rubiera and Trieste); game-2 and game-3 at the home of the best classified

Conversano fourth semifinalist. Thanks to the 33-31 (pt 15-13) in the Pala Gasteiner play-off against Bolzano. As predicted, a decisive confrontation in the final moments and after a persistent balance. However, the Apulians have the merit of putting their heads forward, albeit in a limited way, managing to manage a double advantage for a large part of the match (15-13, 17-15, 22-20). To Bolzano’s draw (22-22) with Pandzic, Conversano responds with a break (3-0) closed by Marrochi and which leads to 26-23 after 48′. Maximum advantage at 29-25 again with the signature of the Italian central defender. The final moments are tainted by the bad injury suffered by the left-handed Conversano Jacob Nelson. After the interruption Pandzic brings Bolzano back to one goal behind the guests (32-31). Conversano, aware of being able to defend the draw, withstood the attack. Possamai set the score at 33-31 at the siren.

Sidea Group Fasano reaches the play-offs with a victory, the 21st in 26 seasonal matches. In one of the big matches of the day comes a convincing 31-27 (pt 18-12) against Alperia Black Devils, a result that certifies the first place of the Italian champions and, thanks to the result achieved by Pala Gasteiner, sees Merano slip in fourth position. The challenge between Fasano and Diavoli Neri, therefore, will also be repeated in the play-offs. Like a year ago, moreover. On the pitch it was a real game, with the Junior expressing herself better, more precise in front of goal and in managing possessions. The Portuguese Cunha is on the rise, scoring 10 goals, well supported by a Filippo Angiolini in great form (7). Merano loses Nunez to injury at the start of the match and has to chase for large stretches. Partial that says 26-18 in the 46th minute and Fasano still in control. But these are only the first skirmishes, waiting for the semi-finals for the title.

Brixen takes second place by conquering Pala Chiarbola. The match against Trieste ends 36-28 (pt 19-12). Convincing victory for the South Tyroleans, leading 12-6 after the first quarter of the match and always in control of the match thereafter. Score 31-20 after 45′ and game closed. With eight goals, Daniel Azzolin is the top scorer of the match.

Many goals in 37-34 (pt 23-18) with which Cassano Magnago beats Carpi at home. Eight goals for Alessio Moretti, the best scorer of the match and the most prolific of the Italians in Serie A Gold. For the Lombards it is the 18th victory of the season. At the same time, home success and many goals also at Pala Santoru, where Raimond Ego Sassari won with a score of 45-35 (pt 23-16) at the expense of Macagi Cingoli, already certain of having to play in the play-outs. Double digits reached by Enrico Aldini, pivot of the Sardinians and author of 10 personal achievements.

On the evening in which captain Andrea Calvo greeted Teamnetwork Albatro and played handball, the Sicilians celebrated salvation by beating Secchia Rubiera 30-23 (pt 13-8) at Pala Akradina. The islanders say goodbye to the championship with a victory, while for the Emilians their minds turn to the play-outs to be faced in the last part of the season. Similar speech for the 37-36 (pt 18-18) with which the Sparer Eppan overcomes the Pressano obstacle in Alto Adige. The Gialloneri were ahead until the 42nd minute (28-28) and also on +4 during the match. Equal and overtaking with Goux protagonist among the yellow-blue Lions. Oberrauch’s match-winning goal with 1’10” left.

The updated ranking:

Sidea Group Fasano 43, Brixen 40, They converse 39, Alperia Black Devils 38, Bolzano 36, Cassano Magnago 36, Raimond Ego Sassari 31, Teamnetwork Albatro 21, Sparer Eppan 21, Macagi Cingoli 16, Pressano 13, Trieste 13, Secchia Rubiera 10, Carpi 6
In Bold the qualifiers for the play-offs | Carpi relegated to Serie A Silver

(photo: Riccardo Di Biase)