Italian champions Trento took a significant step towards the next phase after winning their away game against PGE Project Warsaw with a 3:2 (25:11, 17:25, 27:25, 19:25, 15:9) victory. Marcelo Mendez's team achieved success in Poland without Michieletto in the squad, but still managed to gain a slight advantage before the return leg in Italy, where any kind of win will be sufficient for them.

The start was impressive for the Italians. After the 3:3 tie, Trento pressed their opponent with serves and blocks, dominating decisively – 80% against 53% in attack, 7:1 points from serves, and 3:1 blocks, which led to a crushing 25:11 win.

After the change of sides, Warsaw reacted and quickly built up a lead through the strong play of Georg Weber. The Polish team controlled the events until the end and leveled the sets after a 25:17 win.

Trento started better again and took a lead of several points, but the hosts came back at the end and equalized at 22:22. In the tense finish, the Italians remained calm and, after an attack by Daniele Lavia, closed the set 27:25.

The Polish team took the initiative again. Weber's serve caused serious problems for Trento's reception, and Bednorz added important attack points, allowing Warsaw to impose control and force the match into a tie-break after a 25:19 win.

In the decisive set, the Italians started more concentrated and took an 8:5 lead at the change of sides. Then Théo Faure took the initiative with an attack and serve, and Trento closed the match at 15:9.

Théo Faure was outstanding in the match – 22 points for Trento, while Georg Weber was the top scorer for Warsaw with 21 points. Max Torvi also played a strong game for the Italians, recording 10 points, including 5 blocks.
The return leg is on March 11th in Trento.

photos: cev.eu