Sella, direction Lecce. First against second this evening at the Palasport San Giuseppe da Copertino (ball at 8.30 pm, referees Puccini, Yang Yao and Bertuccioli), with Cento challenging Nardò on the fifth day of the poule-salvation. Forty minutes which, given the eight-point advantage in the standings over the Salento team, could be worth an entire season, but above all the certainty of participating in Serie A2 also in the 24/25 championship.
In case of success, in fact, Cento could virtually close any type of discussion, also considering the +10 on Chiusi (third but with one game less), with fewer and fewer games to be played in this last phase of the tournament. Saying it is one thing, achieving it is another, given that Luca Dalmonte’s granata (who took over from Gennaro De Carlo during the course of the project) have no alternative other than to win to keep in their hands a second place which has gradually been achieved increasingly slippery, with three knockouts in the first four of the survival pool and with Chiusi pressing on, only two points behind.
Different mood for Cento, fresh from a nice worry-free trio (Luiss, Chiusi and Agrigento) and eager to reach the arithmetic salvation as soon as possible. “Enthusiasm does not compensate for the physical and mental effort, but five victories in the last six make us have even more confidence to approach this last phase in the best possible way – commented Mecacci on the eve of the match, analyzing the obstacles that may arise in this match, of which Mitchell will certainly not be part, whose season ended prematurely due to injury -. Nardò is a delicate away match, and not only for the logistics. We will only have a clear idea of the players’ health close to the match: there is tiredness, and moreover we will be away for three days, so we will evaluate if anyone can catch a breath. I expect a very difficult match because they are coming from one victory and three defeats, the opposite of what we have achieved so far very important, but it will be equally important for them, considering that they are obliged to win and that they will play in front of their fans. At the moment the teams are all close and every match is equivalent to a direct clash.”
Smith, Stewart and Iannuzzi, the main dangers of a team that within friendly walls has demonstrated its ability to hurt everyone, including the big names.
“They have recovered Iannuzzi, who is their starting big man, but we will have to pay maximum attention to Smith, who can score twenty on his own or make the others do as many. It goes without saying, but he is one of the best Americans in the championship, as is Stewart , and with Iannuzzi they put a lot of physicality on the pitch.”
Giovanni Poggi
