A good first, to use a cinematic term, from Giorgini Ottica Muri Antichi who today played a leading role against Pescara in round 1 of the play-off semi-final. The score reads a convincing 15-10 in favor of Mr. Scebba’s team who directed this team as a great director in this important and already decisive match for the continuation of the playoffs for the Ancient Walls.
A match at times in control for Giorgini, except for a few small missed passes but immediately reduced after the first half of the match with great concentration and desire on the part of the boys who, as preached by the president on the eve, made the weight of the journey count played during the regular season culminating in first place.
THE MATCH.
Riolo unlocks it with his trademark: long range bomb and it’s already 2-0. Pescara slyly doesn’t accept it and overtakes first with De Luca launched alone into the net and then with Cunko for the equalizer and finally with a glacial Russo for the Abruzzo’s first lead. It didn’t end here because Riolo again, this time directly from a penalty brought Muri back to equal. In the second set the extra man rewards Bartocci but Forzase does well on the occasion of the 4-4. Double superiority in favor of Muri and Reina makes no mistake for the new Giorgini advantage (5-4). Muscuso gives a golden assist to Forzase for the double advantage. Cerasoli shortens, Micheletti scores a new equalizer on a perfect counterattack and Giordano wants to make it clear that Pescara is there with the goal of the new overtaking (6-7) on a careless defense by the Muri. The third set opens with an excellent goal from the center by Lanto which gives him confidence, then Basile earns a penalty shot which captain Muscuso scores. It’s a constant back and forth at a really high pace. Pescara overtakes with two goals from an excellent Cunko. New penalty in favor of Muri Antichi, this time Forzase scored for yet another draw. Prosperi really saves everything with Muri who suffers but fights with Muscuso who charges at him with the goal of 10-9, then it’s Forzase who recovers and in counter-break tries the first decisive break for the 11-9. The Muri’s excellent scoring momentum doesn’t stop: Vittoria draws a perfect parable for Muscuso who only scores in front of the goalkeeper. Muri Antichi now with a mind clearer of fear continues to score this time with Reina well served by Emmi. Fourth partial managed with maturity by the Scebba boys who closed the score with Trimarchi and a wild Forzase for the final 15-10.
THE INTERVIEWS.
“The first one was good – says the president with satisfaction Luigi Spinnicchia – we started very well then so-so in the central part of the match but we finished in the best possible way, a sign that we are fine. This victory was fundamental in breaking the ice, but there is still a long way to go. They were all good especially in staying clear in difficult moments. Mister Scebba will take advantage of today’s performance to make further improvements. They are an excellent team and it will be a very tough challenge in Pescara”.
“Game approached very well by the boys – admits coach Aurelio Scebba – played with great pace and will to win it and it showed from the first to the last minute. Our strength once again was cohesion. We knew that Pescara was an excellent team and they showed it and this makes us understand how many expectations there were. The boys knew everything, we prepared it well and everything was easier. Despite a last-minute defection we made up for Maggiulli’s absence well and our pace made the difference in addition to the mental serenity that grows more and more. We are very happy and now we’re off to the second round.”
GIORGINI OTTICA MURI ANTICHI-PESCARA N. E PN. 15-10
GIORGINI OPTICS ANCIENT WALLS: Nicolosi, Marano, Trimarchi 1, Vecchiarini, Riolo 3, Lanto 1, Forzese 5, Reina 2, Foti, Belfiore, Muscuso 3, Basile, Vittoria, Emmi. All. Scebba.
PESCARA N. AND PN.: Prosperi, De Vincentis, Fredducci, De Luca 1, Cunko 3, Castagna, Giordano 1, Russo 1, Micheletti 1, Bartocci 2, Cerasoli 1, D’Incenco, Brandoni. All. Malara.
Referees: Rovandi and Barra.
Note. Partials: 3-3, 3-4, 6-2, 3-1.
