From Piacenza to Piacenza. The path of Lube kitchens Civitanova in the 5th Place Play Offs will continue on Monday 22 April (8.30 pm) again at the PalaBancaSport in semi-final in a single match to access the showdown on April 27th. In the last round of the six-team grouping, the red and whites raise their arms to the sky in four sets (14-25, 22-25, 25-20, 21-25) in the den of Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza, breaking the Emilians’ unbeaten streak.
The second consecutive victory in the Group is the indicator of the regained health of the red and whites and serves to consolidate the third place with 9 points thus legitimizing the passage of the round, which was already official after the first two sets given the partial results on the other courts. Verona takes first place in the group, leaving second place to Gas Sales and will face Modena in the semi-final.
Lube confirms renewed luster on serve (11 aces, 6 Lagumdzija, top scorer with 23 points scored) and plays against the hosts (7-7). Despite a few empty laps in reception, the red and whites manage to control the game in attack (51% against 44%) thanks to the ideas of Captain De Cecco, awarded MVP of the evening. Coach Giannini rotates his men and manages to regain control of the match with the contribution of the bench after Piacenza’s victory in the third set. Yant also reached double figures for the cooks (11). On the opposite front, Piacenza responds with 17 points from Romanò and 14 goals from former red and white Lucarelli, but suffers from the visitors’ attacks from nine metres.
The lineups – Cucinieri on the pitch with De Cecco as setter and Lagumdzija as opposite, Anzani and Diamantini in the center, Nikolov and Yant in the forwards, Balaso libero. Larizza returns to the bench, but only as a second libero. The hosts lined up with Brizard as setter and Romanò as opposite, the former red and whites Ricci and Simon in the centre, the former cook Lucarelli with Recine in the back, Scanferla libero.
The race – In the first set (14-25) the red and whites dominate on serve (3 aces to 0), win the block duel (3-2) and are more precise in attack. Lagumdzija highlighted with 6 points, including 2 from nine meters and 2 from the block. In Piacenza Lube restarts from where they finished with Cisterna, with serves and points (1-5). As the exchanges progress, the hosts improve (7-8), but in attack with Nikolov and in the block with Lagumdzija the Cucineri find their second breakthrough (7-12). At 8-15 by Diamantini Leal comes on in place of Romanò. Lube receives well, flies into attack with Yant, serves with Nikolov (ace at 11-19) and covers with a block (11-20) on Leal, who comes out for Dias. Yant finishes with his fourth point.
In the second set (22-25) a more sly Lube lets Gas Sales play for part of the set then gets into gear with the contribution of De Cecco, not only in playmaking, but also in service. The long-distance match between Lagumdzija (9 points with 3 aces) and Romanò (8 points) was good. The start is tougher for Lube (7-5), who then find the overtaking (7-8). We proceed in fits and starts, but Piacenza’s positive moment (10-7) forces substitutions (Chinenyeze and Zaytsev for Diamantini and Nikolov) and time outs for the cooks. Civitanova, patiently, nibbles away at points with the captain as the protagonist until the attack on two out attacks by the home team (19-19). On Lagumdzija’s serve Lube finds the overtaking (22-23). The Turkey international closes the set with an ace and qualifies Lube for the Semifinals early given Verona’s 2-0 win over Cisterna in the match underway at the Pala AIM Agsm.
In the third set (25-20) Zaytsev remains on the court, but will give way to Bottolo during the race. The Marche players don’t show the same bite on the pitch. The Piacenza players raise the level of service (9-5). Lagumdzija’s plays were significant to get closer (14-13). Civitanova wastes the equalizer several times and Civitanova extends to +5 after Lucarelli’s ace and Recine’s hands out (19-14). Lube tries to get closer (19-16), but Piacenza plays safely. At 23-18, however, Nikolov returns with an ace, followed by Anzani’s block (23-20). Gas Sales closes down.
In the fourth set (21-25) Lube starts with Bottolo and Chinenyeze, immediately finding a good lead with Anzani (9-5). Led by an inspired De Cecco, Civitanova seems to repeat the aggressive play of the first set (9-16). Lagumdzija legitimizes his performance with a great shot (11-18), Bottolo makes up for some uncertainty in reception with a perfect block (12-19). In the final, the home favorites try everything, but Nikolov dampens the enthusiasm of Simon and his teammates (17-23). On the final blaze in Piacenza with the new arrival Andringa serving (21-24) Giannini calls a time out and the victory arrives upon his return to the court.
Scoreboard
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza – Cucine Lube Civitanova 1-3 (14-25, 22-25, 25-20, 21-25)
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza: Hoffer (L) ne, Recine 7, Gironi ne, Alonso ne, Brizard 4, Lucarelli 14, Leal 1, Scanferla (L), Ricci 9, Simon 11, Andringa 2, Romanò 17, Caneschi ne, Dias. All. Anastasi
Lube kitchens Civitanova: Bottolo 9, Anzani 7, Lagumdzija 23, Nikolov 8, Chinenyeze 4, De Cecco 4, Thelle, Motzo, Bisotto (L), Balaso (L), Zaytsev, Diamantini 3, Yant 11, Larizza ne. All. Giannini.
REFEREES: Saltalippi (PG) and Salvati (RM).
Duration: 23′, 30′, 29′, 26′. Total: 1h 48′.
NOTES: Piacenza: 14 wrong serves, 7 aces, 7 blocks, attack 44%, reception 54% (28% perfect). Civitanova: 14 wrong serves, 11 aces, 7 blocks, attack 51%, reception 48% (26% perfect). Attendance: 1,847. MVP: De Cecco.
Tags: Lube wins Piacenza remains running qualified semifinals #5th place Picchio News
