Allianz Milano managed to inflict the first home defeat on the Italian Cup holder Lube Civitanova with a 2:3 (29:27, 23:25, 25:18, 23:25, 15:17) score, which happened in match number 1 of the 1/4 finals playoffs of the championship. The guests led in all four sets, and even managed to perform a feat, returning to the game after Lube led 24:18 in the first set.Matey Kaziyski (5 points) started the match, but was later replaced by the hero of the match, the Japanese Otsuka, who performed wonders of bravery for his team, scoring an important 16 points (1 block). He was named the MVP of the match.
The most effective player for the winners was the Belgian Fefe Reghers, who finished with 26 points (2 blocks, 1 ace).Alex Nikolov did not start the match but later replaced Leoppky and played great four sets, recording 15 points (1 ace).
Our national gave the first match point for his team in the tie-break at 14:13, but the guests managed to turn the tide of the match and saved another match point to close the match with a block against Mattia Bottolo, who had played perfectly until that moment - 24 points (3 aces, 3 blocks). Adis Lagumdzija added 22 points (4 blocks, 1 ace), but even those were not enough for the win.
Cucine Lube Civitanova - Allianz Milano 2-3 (29-27, 23-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-17)
Cucine Lube Civitanova: Bottolo 24, Chinenese 2, Lagumdzija 22, Loepki 1, Podrascanin 12, Bonifante 2, Bisotto (L) no, Gargiulo 5, Orduna, Balaso (L), Hossein Hanzadeh 1, Nikolov 15, Dirlich 1. Did not enter: Tenorio. Coach: Medei.
Allianz Milano: Porro 2, Losati 8, Schnitzer 12, Reghers 26, Kaziyski 5, Caneschi 9, Stafforini (L) no, Larizza 1, Zonta, Catania (L), Barotto 1, Piano 1, Gardini, Otsuka 16. Did not enter: Coach: Piazza.
NOTES: Duration: 34', 29', 26', 30', 24'. Total: 2h 23'.
Civitanova: service errors 20, aces 8, blocks 12, attack 53%, reception 40% (19% perfect).
Milano: service errors 22, aces 5, blocks 9, attack 50%, reception 45% (21% perfect).
Spectators: 3,242.
MVP: Otsuka.
The second match of the playoff series in Italy is on March 16 in Milan.
Now, coach Medei's boys are scheduled to travel to Poland, where on Wednesday they will face Alex Grozdanov's Bogdanka in the first final match for the Challenge Cup.
