Lube ahead of its 17th participation in the Italian Supercup

Awaiting the new edition of the Del Monte Supercup of Italy, scheduled for February 28 (Saturday) and March 1 (Sunday) in PalaTrieste, Cucine Lube Civitanova is preparing for its 17th participation in the competition.

On Saturday at 18:00, the "biancorossi" will play in a semi-final against Rana Verona, and if successful, they will contend for the trophy on Sunday. To date, Lube has won the Supercup four times – in 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014.

Lube's history in the Supercup

The club's first participation in the battle for the distinction was in 2001 in Agrigento, when the team, led by Roberto Masciarelli, lost to Sisley Treviso 0:3 (19:25, 22:25, 18:25).

Two years later, in 2003 in Ravenna, the scenario repeated – another defeat against the Venetians.

The breakthrough came in 2006 in Pesaro. As the reigning Italian champion, Ferdinando De Giorgi's squad won its first Supercup after a 3:1 (25:22, 23:25, 25:20, 25:22) victory over Bre Banca Cuneo.

The second cup was won in 2008 in Florence after a decisive 3:0 (25:21, 25:23, 25:20) victory against champion Trento.

In 2009 in Frosinone, Lube dramatically lost the final to Piacenza 2:3 (25:22, 22:25, 25:23, 20:25, 12:15).

A new triumph followed in 2012 in Modena – 3:2 (23:25, 25:22, 22:25, 25:23, 15:13) against Trento.

A year later came a heavy 0:3 defeat, again against Trento.

In 2014, Lube lifted the trophy for the fourth time after a 3:2 (25:23, 22:25, 25:20, 23:25, 15:12) victory against Copra Piacenza in Brindisi – so far, the club's last triumph in the tournament.

The Final Four Era – close, but without a trophy

Since 2016, the Supercup has been held in a four-team format based on the results of the previous season. In this new scheme, Lube often reaches the final, but without achieving new success.

• 2016 (Modena)– lost in the semi-final to Perugia 1:3.

• 2017 (Civitanova)– won in the semi-final against Modena, but lost in the final to Perugia 1:3.

• 2018 (Perugia)– eliminated in the semi-final by Modena 2:3.

• 2019 (Civitanova Marche)– a new semifinal failure against Modena – 1:3.

• 2020– an experimental format with semifinals in two matches. Lube eliminated Trento after a 'golden set' but lost the final to Perugia 2:3.

• 2021– a defeat in the semifinal against Monza 1:3.

• 2022 (Sardinia)– a strong semifinal and a 3:0 victory over Modena, but a 2:3 loss in the final to Perugia.
  
  

  

• 2023 (Biella)– another dramatic final against Perugia and a 2:3 defeat after a semifinal victory against Piacenza.
  
  

  

Balance and perspective

Lube enters this year's edition with a serious tradition and experience in the tournament, but also with the clear awareness that over the last decade the Supercup has often slipped away in decisive moments – most often after a tie-break or against the well-known rival Perugia.

The semifinal against Rana Verona will be a test not only of their current form but also of the team's mental resilience in a short direct elimination tournament. For the 'Cucinieri', this is an opportunity to break a ten-year trophy drought in the competition and bring the Supercup back to Civitanova.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov