National player Georgi Tatarov played a phenomenal match against European club champions Trento, with his performance greatly contributing to Grottazzolina earning a valuable point, after losing away 2:3 (25:12, 18:25, 25:17, 23:25, 15:12).
Problems again befell Yuasa Battery, who, although they recovered Petkovic (though he is visibly not yet in his best form), had to cope with the absence of Zhukouski, who is out of action due to an adductor muscle injury and is only formally listed on the team sheet as a second libero. Setter Andrea Romiti, born in 2007, was brought into the team, and Manuele Marchiani, the great hero of last season's triumphant ascent to the elite, made his debut as a starter.
After a first set for adaptation, Yuasa Battery did not succumb to fear, and Itas again needed a world-class Michieletto - 27 points (3 blocks) - to win this time in a five-set match, played in front of 3,196 spectators.
Tatarov became the hero for the "batteries," turning the tide of the game in the fourth set, where the hosts were leading 23:21 and already saw victory with a 3:1 score. But no - an attack by Tatarov made it 23:22, after which Fedrizzi added another for 23:23. Tatarov went to the service line and two unreturnable aces followed. The set point came after an ace by the Bulgarian on Daniele Lavia. As written in Italy "...that serve was worth the price of admission!"
The tie-break was a showdown between Michieletto and Tatarov, with the Italian international winning both the match and the MVP title for the game. Trento celebrates the difficult victory, Grottazzolina also has reason to be proud for the exceptional character shown and the valuable point earned against the second-placed team.
"Staying in the match even when in the fourth set destiny seemed sealed is a huge achievement for a team that has to fight tooth and nail to stay in the division. Perhaps it's too much to talk about missed opportunities given the stellar status of the opponent, but when you react this way in every situation, then there is no loss that can overshadow the deserved applause and compliments!", journalists in Italy continue to praise the newcomer to the Italian elite.
Georgi Tatarov finished the match with the second-highest score after Michieletto - 22 points (2 aces, 2 blocks). The Bulgarian also surpassed the 200 (207) point mark since the start of the championship!
ITAS TRENTO: Bristot (L2) did not play, Pesaresi did not play, Kozamernik did not play, Michieletto 27, Sbertoli 3, Pellacani did not play, Gabi Garcia, Rychlicki 17, Magalini did not play, Laurenzano (L1) 43% (14% perf.), Lavia 13, Bartha 13, Resende Gualberto Flavio 7, Acquarone did not play. Head Coach: Soli
YUASA BATTERY GROTTAZZOLINA: Zhukouski (L2) did not play, Antonov, Cubito did not play, Vecchi did not play, Demianenko 12, Mattei, Romiti did not play, Comparoni 4, Petkovic 16, Fedrizzi 16, Marchiani 1, Zwanziger did not play,Tatarov 22, Marchisio (L1) 37% (5% perf.). Head Coach: Ortenzi
Statistics: Trento: 15 service errors, 2 aces, 17 successful blocks, 49% reception (18% perf.), 53% attack.
Grottazzolina: 15 service errors, 7 aces, 9 successful blocks, 36% reception (11% perf.), 45% attack.
MVP: Michieletto
Spectators: 3,196
The valuable point thus earned away allows Grottazzolina to hold on to 10th place in the provisional standings with equal points to 9th placed Padova.
