Cucine Lube Civitanova leveled the semi-final series against Rana Verona, after winning the second match 3:1 (26:24, 25:21, 21:25, 25:22). The match in Civitanova will be remembered for the huge number of service errors, which significantly affected both teams, and the decisive moments in the fourth set came after strong final plays by the hosts.
Lube took a 2:0 lead after two contested sets, but Verona brought back the intrigue after winning the third part. In the fourth set, the team from Civitanova had a four-point advantage but allowed a tie at 22:22. In the decisive moments, Mattia Bottolo scored a block-out for 23:22, then the hosts organized a block against Darlan, and it was the Brazilian opposite who ended the match with an attack out.
The clash, however, was marked primarily by instability from the serve. Lube finished with 26 service errors, and Verona with 28, which only highlighted the nervous tension in the semi-final duel.
Above all was the Bulgarian national player Alex Nikolov, who finished with 18 points, +4, 2 blocks, and 46% attack efficiency.

For Lube, Mattia Bottolo added 12 points, while Leoppky contributed 11 points and Gargiulo 10 points, with the middle blocker also recording 4 blocks, including a crucial one against Darlan at the end.

For Verona, Keita was the top scorer with 16 points and Darlan with 11.

Team statistics:

Lube compensated for its weaker attacking performance with better blocking and more gifted points from the opponent. The 13 blocks and 40 points from Verona's errors proved to be the decisive difference in a match where both teams had serious problems with serving.

photos: legavolley.it