For the first time since the club's establishment, Rana Verona secured a spot in the Del Monte Final Four of the Italian Cup. Coach Radostin Stoychev's team achieved its goal by winning 3:2 against Hristo Zlatanov's Piacenza. Verona took the first two sets but allowed Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza to equalize. In the tie-break, the hosts showed all their grit and deservedly won the match in front of the ecstatic fans at Pala AGSM AIM. They witnessed a high-level collective performance from a team that believed until the last point that they could secure a place in the tournament's semi-finals.
The main protagonist of the match was Keita, who scored 30 points and received another MVP award. Zingel also made a difference with 6 block points. Rok Možič added another 17 points to the victory.
The match in Casalecchio di Reno on January 25th and 26th will be against the winner of the match between Perugia and Modena. Before that, however, the SuperLega continues with a match in Civitanova on January 5th.
Coach Stoychev started the match with the starting six announced a few days ago - Abaev as setter and Keita as opposite, captain Možič together with Sani as outside hitters, and in the middle - the pair Zingel and Cortesia, with D'Amico as libero.
Radostin Stoychev:"The fifth set was decisive: we decided to start with Abaev's serve after we all gathered before the tie-break and no one had the slightest intention of losing the match. I liked this attitude because it makes the difference. There was a feeling that everyone was concentrated at every moment. I am happy not only for the team, but also for the entire environment and the people who work around the club. This result is for everyone," stated the most successful Bulgarian coach at club level after the match.
Rana Verona - Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 3:2 (25:19, 26:24, 23:25, 21:25, 15:10)
Match MVP: Noumory Keita
Spectators: 3620
Statistics:
Attack: Rana Verona 47%; Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 44%
Reception: Rana Verona 48%; Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 40%
Blocks: Rana Verona 13; Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 15
Aces: Rana Verona 3; Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 5
