Alseno, for you the dream continues. In Campobasso in the Final Four of the women’s B2 Italian Cup, Rossetti Market Conad wins the spectacular arm-wrestle against Futura Terracina 92 (3-1) in the first category semi-final and advances to the final, scheduled for tomorrow at 10am at the PalaUnimol of the same capital of Molise against Star Volley Bisceglie, who won the tie break against Alessandria in the second semi-final.
Against the Lazio team, it was a sporting battle until the last ball, with Bonini’s team defeated at the end of the first set (from 19-21 to 25-23); the same script risked repeating itself in the second set, but this time Alseno was more cynical, taking advantage of the second set ball to even the score. Gialloblù Piacenza superior in the third set (19-25), while the fourth fraction saw the return of Futura for another breathtaking partial, decided by two blocks from Piacenza at 23-23.
The latter was fundamental and performed well in the yellow-blue half of the pitch, as did the serve (9 aces). Top scorer of the team, the opposite Stefania Bernabè (22 points), supported by the central Sara Scurzoni (15 points, of which 5 are blocks) and by the captain and spiker Chiara Shanti Falotico (17 points), in her second consecutive final after that last year with Ripalta Cremasca. The second line was masterfully directed by libero Allegra Toffanin; positive entries also for spiker Virginia Marchesi (who replaced Rebecca Spagnuolo) and for setter Mercedes Pieroni, who returned from a long injury and was invaluable in the final of the second set. But it was a team success, with Giulia Neri and Elisa Frassi positively completing the leading starting line-up.
“The qualities of which we were certain emerged – the comment of coach Federico Bonini -: heart, desire, human quality and availability; all the beauty of these girls came out in this match. We couldn’t wait for an important challenge that we put to the test. It was a tight match, which allowed only a few slivers of advantage. The team spirit made us win, the team always knew how to stay on track. In this period we had lacked this aspect a bit, Here the girls were amazing, coming back even when we were behind in various partials, winning three out of four.”
THE MATCH – Rossetti Market Conad takes the field with Neri as dribbler, Bernabè as opposite, Spagnuolo and Falotico as forward, Frassi and Scurzoni in the center and Toffanin as libero. Alseno’s start is excellent, with Scurzoni as the protagonist (2-5), while the Lazio team responds with the opposite Barboni, the most fearsome finisher (4-5). Coach Bonini’s team raises, led by captain Falotico, who scores two consecutive points for the 4-8. Lazio time out, with Matrullo shaking Futura (6-8). Scurzoni’s error makes the opponent -1, but Alseno restores a good advantage (7-10). The elasticity in the score continues (10-11), with Spagnuolo signing another Piacenza break (11-13), closed at 16 by Barboni, protagonist in serving and attack. Alseno time out, with Bernabè and Falotico’s ace launching Rossetti Market Conad into the sprint (19-21). Terracina doesn’t agree and draws with Barboni (attack) and Pavone (ace): 21-21 and second yellow-blue time out. The Lazio players win an endless exchange (24-22), then close 25-23 with Barboni.
Futura 92 also starts strong in the second set (8-5), with Bonini’s team responding with Neri’s serve (8-7). Terracina ahead 11-8, then Frassi takes care of the mending (attack plus ace of tape for 11-10). The hook, however, does not arrive because the “usual” Barboni and the Tartaglia gang defend the “treasure” (16-14). With patience, Rossetti Market Conad finds parity at 17 with Bernabè, who then finds the ace to make it 18-19. Again the serve, this time from Marchesi (on the pitch for Spagnuolo), puts Alseno ahead (19-21). Time out, then Barboni scores at 22. Piacenza break, at 23-23 Pieroni enters the field after a long injury as director, with Alseno closing with Bernabè at the second attempt: 24-26.
The third set reopens with Neri in control and with Alseno who extends to 4-8, putting Tartaglia’s reception in difficulty. Time out Terracina, but the same yellow-blue setter stings in serving, digging the furrow with the complicity of Bernabè’s block (5-11). Alseno adds a brick (6-13), then sees the gap reduced to four (13-17). Bonini stops the game, Bernabè and Marchesi create the 14-20, Pavone tries to keep Futura alive (16-20), but Rossetti Market Conad moves quickly towards 19-25 which is worth the 2-1 for Piacenza.
The start of the fourth set is balanced, with long and spectacular actions. Terracina closes two with Barboni and Matrullo (9-7), then defends the break (12-10) often relying on its opposite. Rossetti Market Conad equalizes at 12 with Scurzoni’s ace, but a misunderstanding causes Futura to score 16-14. Bonini stops the game, with Frassi finding the ace at 16. Marchesi’s invasion for the new +2 of Terracina (18-16). On the serve of the new entry Palazzina, Falotico hits at 19, with the sprint launched. Barboni scores 23-22 (Bonini time out), then Scurzoni’s block is worth the first match point (23-24). Subsequent action, same script with Bernabè as protagonist and yellow-blue joy explodes.
FUTURA TERRACINA 92-ROSSETTI MARKET CONAD 1-3
(25-23, 24-26, 19-25, 23-25)
FUTURA TERRACINA 92: Pavone 8, Tartaglia 8, Paesano 2, Barboni 25, Matrullo 11, Ungaro 4, La Rocca (L), Iezzi, Malandruccolo 1. Ne: Bagnara, Parisella (L), Silvestrin, Turriziani. All.: Milazzo
ROSSETTI MARKET CONAD: Falotico 17, Frassi 6, Bernabè 22, Spagnuolo 3, Scurzoni 15, Neri 3, Toffanin (L), Pieroni, Marchesi 6, Palazzina, Gandolfi. Neither. Tartari, Bozzetti (L), Agostini. All.: Bonini
REFEREES: Tropea and Rocchi
NOTE: Set duration: 29′, 27′, 26′, 29′ for a total of 1 hour and 51 minutes of play. Futura Terracina 92: wrong serves 17, aces 5, positive reception 43% (perfect 30%), attack 36%, blocks 6, errors 27. Rossetti Market Conad: wrong serves 17, aces 9, positive reception 57% (perfect 33% ), attack 37%, blocks 9, errors 32.
