Following a convincing 3-0 away victory in the Czech Republic in the first leg of the Volleyball Challenge Cup 1/16 finals, Cucine Lube Civitanova also defeated VK Karlovarsko at home with a score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-9, 25-17). Thus, Giampaolo Medei's protégés qualified for the round of 16 of the continental tournament, where in December they will face the Serbian team Karadjordje Topola, who managed to achieve a comeback at home with a golden set win against Estonian Tartu Bigbank after losing away in the first match. The Bulgarian Chavdar Marev has been appointed as the second referee for the Italians' home game in the 1/8 finals in December.
The mission was completed in 65 minutes. A lightning-fast match in which Civitanova scored 7 aces and 10 blocks with 62% attack efficiency. Loeppky (13 points) left the court as the top scorer, but the MVP award went to Iranian Porya (11 points) thanks to his very positive on-court demeanor.
The team managed to impress even with squad rotation, to the satisfaction of coach Medei. THE MATCH The hosts started with Boninfante as setter and Lagumdzija as opposite, Loeppky and Porya as outside hitters, Gargiulo and Podrascanin as middle blockers, Balaso as libero. The staff gave a rest to Alex Nikolov, who performed more than excellently in previous matches, in view of his recovery from a serious surgery in the summer. Mattia Bottolo also did not record playing minutes.
Cucine Lube Civitanova - VK Karlovarsko 3-0 (25-19, 25-9, 25-17)
CUCINE LUBE CIVITANOVA: Balaso (L), Boninfante 2, D'Hirlir 9, Gargiulo 9, Hossein Hanzade 11, Lagumdzija 9, Loeppky 13, Orduna 1, Podrascanin 3, Tenorio 4. Did not play: Bisotto, Bottolo, Chinenyeze, Nikolov. Coach: Giampaolo Medei.
VK KARLOVARSKO (CZE): Fiser 2, Manouguian (L), Pfeffer (L), Bajandic 6, Seidl 2, Balaz 3, Hromec, Kirivino 1, Sestan 7, Pastrnak 5, Jansons 2, Spulak 6. Coach: Mascia.
Notes: set durations 23', 19', 23'. Total 1h 05'. Lube: service errors 5, aces 7, blocks 10, attack efficiency 62%, reception 50% (20% perfect). Karlovarsko: service errors 7, aces 2, blocks 5, attack efficiency 37%, reception 32% (18% perfect). Spectators: 1,220. MVP: Porya.
