Second place and a silver medal for Rana Verona in the third edition of the Astori Trophy, which Itas Trentino won after a 3-1 in the final. Stoytchev’s team, therefore, failed to defend the title won two years ago, despite an excellent first set that had unlocked the result. The opponents overturned and took the victory. Among the Veronese ranks was a good performance by Dzavoronok, his team’s best scorer with 18 points, 3 of which were at the block. The next appointment of the pre-season is scheduled for Saturday 21 September on the Allianz Milano court.
Coach Stoytchev confirms the same sextet of the semifinal, with Abaev as a setter and Jensen as opposite, Dzavoronok-Sani as spikers, Cortesia-Vitelli as center, and D’Amico as libero. Michieletto opens the dance with an ace, to which Dzavoronok promptly responds diagonally. The attempt to escape by Soli’s troops is dampened first by Sani’s perfect pipe, then by Jensen’s monster block, which reduces the gap. Abaev lights up for Dzavoronok, and then Cortesia’s block is worth the draw. Verona overtakes and extends with Vitelli’s ace (19-16). Trento recovers, but Jensen closes the first partial.
It was a favorable start for the Trentino team in the second, but Dzavoronok’s two touches under the net gave energy back to his team. Two prolonged actions smile on the Scaligeri, with Sani scoring and the same Czech hammer, who finds the equalizer. The teams play point for point, with Zingel who scores the ace for the temporary overtaking. Trento puts its face forward again and with Lavia’s pipe and Rychlicki’s block, it breaks away in the score. Michieletto closes with a lob. The opponents take advantage of the positive wave and upon returning to the field they immediately create a significant gap, which Zingel tries to reduce from position two. Trento maintains its distance, Vitelli places from nine meters, Dzavoronok imitates him and the Scaligeri go to -2. Sbertoli and his teammates extend their lead and overtake Flavio’s wall.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Trento keeps the ball in the game and keeps the Scaligeri at a safe distance, and Kozamernik gains a five-point advantage. Lavia and Michieletto still take the right direction and direct the match. Spirito and his teammates do not give up and recover ground, but the Trentino team digs the second, which Spirito tries to fill a minimum with a second-intent shot. The first half of Cortesia makes the knockout less heavy, which comes after Vitelli’s error in serving. Silver medal, therefore, for Rana Verona.
SCOREBOARD
Rana Verona-Itas Trentino 1–3 (25-23; 23-25; 19-25; 17-25)
Rana Verona: Abaev, Jensen 6, Sani 11, Dzavoronok 18, Cortesia 7, Vitelli 8, D’Amico (L), Spirito 1, Keita, Mozic, Chevalier, Zingel 10, Zanotti, Bonisoli (L). Coach Stoytchev
Itas Trentino: Sbertoli 3, Rychlicki 21, Michieletto 18, Lavia 14, Kozamernik 7, Flavio, Laurenzano (L), Acquarone, Garcia, Magalini, Sandu 7, Bristot, Bartha, Pellacani, Pesaresi (L). Coach Soli
Set duration: 28’; 31’; 26’; 25’; total: 1h50’
Attack: Rana Verona 44%; Itas Trentino 57%
Blocks: Rana Verona 7; Itas Trentino 9
Aces: Rana Verona 4; Itas Trentino 6
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