Rana Verona concluded their pre-season friendlies with a 3:1 (22:25, 39:37, 25:19, 25:22) victory over Padua. Fabio Soli's team turned the match around after losing the first set and is now focusing on their home game against Lube on October 17 in the first round of the Italian SuperLega.
The second set proved to be the most contested, with the two teams playing a total of 76 points. Verona managed to equalize after an ace by Francesco Sani for 39:37, initiating the comeback.
Padua started more convincingly, especially in blocking, and won the first set 25:22. The hosts improved their play in the second set, but the visitors continued to resist until the dramatic conclusion.
In the third set, Noumory Keita troubled Padua's reception with his serve, while Paul Buchegger provided important points in attack. Lucas Glatz ended the set 25:19. The fourth set was evenly matched until a strong serving run by Sani gave Verona a lead, which the hosts maintained until the final 25:22.
Buchegger and Keita finished with 15 points each for the winners, Rok Mozic added 12, and Glatz contributed 10. Sani concluded with 9 points and a key contribution from his serve.
For Padua, the top scorer was Amir Mohammad Golzadeh with 18 points, followed by Francesco Bergamasco with 12. Alessandro Bristot and Marco Pellacani added 10 each.
The friendly lasted 101 minutes and offered a serious test for Verona before the official start. Soli's team found solutions after a difficult start, and the inclusion of Sani and Glatz provided additional options during the match.