Italy – Superlega 2017/2018

  • Hi guys!!!
    I was in Civitanova and despite Trento defeats and game I must say I had a lot of fun and enjoyed the experience a lot! 8o


    Congrats to Perugia for finally grab a trophy!! Same goes to (finally) captain De Cecco and Atanasjevic!
    It really felt as a broken curse, and it was very deserved!
    Russell clear MVP for me as well, but there are a lot of player I liked, from Colaci ( :heart: so hard to see him on the other side!!), to Zaytsev (as often not outstanding in attack, but helping a lot overall), to Podke (monster block!) to Luciano, but I also generally liked Ata.
    More than once I though 'and now comes the moment he is chocking/will choke and after all it didn't happen: blocked at the end of the third set vs Trento, then at the end 4th set vs Trento I think he did a mistake, then was block, but I think he was the one that closed the match... and again yesterday, on a Perugia match point (or may be they were even?) he had to serve and I wasn't optimist, but he served very well.
    One thing that won't change is him calling random videocheck, though :lol: two calls by Magnum, two points for Lube! And it would have been 3 if Zaytsev hadn't sopped him once. Ivan also called to successfull challenge.


    On Trento side, quite a terrible game imho (with several margine to improve, though), but I'm proud that as often happens they fiercely managed to incredibily come back, I'm still 2ondering how they won the third set of the semi despite being dominated by Perugia :lol:
    After all both Trento matches became entrataining and made me having fun and hoping for the tie break until the very last.



    I’m just hoping for tight, 5-setter games.


    I hoped that as well, instead we had all 3-1... but quite fought sets especially in the ends, so it was funny non the less.



    Worst service from Christenson


    :lol: I was so upset it catched a player at the net, I would have loved to see it going actually under the net :lol:



    He killed the ball at 25-25. There you can see the difference with the past finals. Russell played simply amazing. Those 3 aces in a row kept us alive. Zaytsev's all-around match was impressive


    I agree!!



    Quite good match by Zaystev, as usual is more usefull from the back row than as a spiker, when he plays as OH


    I agree again!



    but having Massimo Colaci is just a relief for all the outside hitters. He helped manned the backrow and that was the player lacking from Perugia last season. A really good libero.


    :heart: :heart: he will be missed! Even if De Pandis imho was among the best in Trento (not a very hard challenge in this Supercup though :lol: ). Chiappa was often in the right place but rarely kept the ball positively alive, but I have faith in him, because Lorenzetti does. Obviously he is not there well, but I think/hope he will be. The worst things he did were like 3 sets on the other court or wrong, these were terrible :S



    Pressure to win was always their number one worst enemy.


    True, I think this victory is a great liberation for Perugia in general and for many of their players individually!

  • Italian Cup, eight finals


    Calzedonia Verona – Revivre Milano 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20)
    MVP: Alen Pajenk (Verona)
    [I've watched part of the match, imho it was quite enjoiable]
    Calzedonia Verona: Spirito 4, Jaeschke 14, Pajenk 12, Stern 19, Maar 18, Birarelli 0, Pesaresi (L), Mengozzi 6, Marretta 0. N.E. Paolucci, Frigo, Grozdanov. All. Grbic. Revivre Milano: Sbertoli 2, Schott 12, Averill 9, Abdel-Aziz 26, Klinkenberg 11, Piano 3, Fanuli (L), Piccinelli (L), Preti 0, Daldello 0. N.E. Tondo, Galassi. All. Giani. ARBITRI: Rapisarda, Santi. NOTE - durata set: 30', 27', 33', 27'; tot: 117'.



    Gi Group Monza – Taiwan Excellence Latina 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-22)
    MVP: Kawika Shoji
    Gi Group Monza: Shoji 3, Dzavoronok 9, Buti 7, Finger 15, Botto 11, Beretta 5, Brunetti (L), Rizzo (L), Langlois 0, Walsh 0, Hirsch 2. N.E. Arasomwan, Terpin. All. Falasca. Taiwan Excellence Latina: Sottile 1, Maruotti 7, Rossi 5, Starovic 10, Savani 11, Le Goff 0, De Angelis (L), Shoji (L), Corteggiani 4, Huang 0, Gitto 2. N.E. Kovac. All. Di pinto. ARBITRI: Puecher, Zanussi. NOTE - durata set: 25', 29', 29'; tot: 83'.



    Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia – Bunge Ravenna 1-3 (21-25, 25-22, 9-25, 17-25)
    MVP: Paul Buchegger (Ravenna)
    [I had never heard of him but I read he did great, 25 points with 5 aces]
    Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia: Coscione 0, Lecat 6, Costa 5, Patch 11, Antonov 10, Verhees 8, Torchia (L), Izzo 0, Massari 0, Marra (L), Domagala 2, Presta 1. N.E. Corrado. All. Tubertini. Bunge Ravenna: Orduna 2, Marechal 14, Georgiev 12, Buchegger 25, Poglajen 13, Vitelli 4, Goi (L), Diamantini 1, Raffaelli 0, Pistolesi 0. N.E. Marchini, Gutierrez. All. Soli. ARBITRI: Tanasi, Cappello. NOTE - durata set: 27', 29', 30', 25'; tot: 111'.



    Piacenza-Padova today at 8.30 pm, on Raisport.



    Quarterfinals (18/10 h8.30 pm - Sportube)


    Lube-Ravenna
    Modena-Verona (19/10 h8.30 pm on Raisport)
    (The winners will cross in semifinal)


    Trento-Monza
    Perugia-Piacenza/Padova
    (The winners will cross in semifinal)

  • Holy Christ at Padova's setter! That's got to be the worst setting I've seen since watching HS volleyball. I feel like Nelli is the only spiker he has the most accuracy with. :white:


    Thank the heavens he is a cutie and young. :heart: But yeah he is playing so bad. This should be actually 3-0 win for Padova if not for those mistakes. :white:

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

  • What a ridoculous 4th set! :rolll:


    Padova led by 5 pts only to be cut off to nil and eventually Piacenza also surpassing them by 5 pts. After a series of blocks and powerful serving by Nelli and Randazzo. They caught up despite losing Sperandio to an injury and even won the match to qualify for the quarterfinals of Italian Cup.


    Looks like the fast tempo game of Padova killed the old legs of Piacenza as a whole. The setter of Padova is not perfect yet for that type of play but it was enough for them to win the game. It really helped that Nelli was consistently bombing every ball and the block of Padova roofed almost everyone from Piacenza. And as I said the age is showing with Piacenza. There were hardly bodies diving and running for the ball and that ultimately destroyed their chances.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

  • I hope Raisport will load the match because I want to see also the 3rd and 4th set that I missed!
    Super happy for Nelli (who didn't start very well in the first set, even if he could be partially justified because of the sets he received if I recall well) and for Padova in general, since they have a lot of italian players, and especially YOUNG and eligible for the NT italians: Balaso, Randazzo, Nelli, Polo...


    The setter is just the second setter, Travica is the titular (and captain) but he has some physical problems since at least 2 weeks.


    While I thought Milano could surprise Verona (and in effect they did play well, but it wasn't enough), I wasn't expecting Padova to be the surprise of the eight final, especially without Travica: well done guys!

  • Watched the last two sets!
    I must say Nelli was even better than I expected reading the news of the match and the stats, because he was wonderful not only in attack but also from the 9 meters line, especially in crucial moments (even if he didn't score many aces): he was serving (and very good) from the 21-24 to the 26-24 of the 3rd set (with I think only one direct ace at 24-24), he was serving again when Piacenza was 20-16 in the 4th set and Padova closed the gap to 20-19.


    I also liked Polo a lot: I've always been interesting in him as possible future MB for the NT and I think he's getting better and better.

  • Does anyone have any information about Lazar Cirovic?


    He is serbian and I know he is probably not the best serbian player in Superlega but I thought he played good in Panathinaikos and in Padova . It's kinda strange for him not to be invited in the national team.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

  • How peculiar, both Perugia-Padova and Civitanova-Ravenna will play two matches in a row between Regular Season (15 oct for Per vs Pad, 22 oct C vs R) and Italian Cup (18 oct).
    Even more peculiar, both Civitanova and Perugia will host not only the Italian Cup match (has earned considering last year RS final ranking), but also the RS match.
    Padova will remain in Perugia after Sunday match to prepare for the Italian Cup, I don't know about Ravenna.

  • I guess we can say this is a big test for Nelli. He's up against an incredible block from Perugia. If he can manage to break that then Blengini might consider him.


    I have to say... I was disappointed with Piacenza's block. I have to disqualify that as a barometer for this two day-date with Perugia. I don't think Nelli will have easier time dealing against that and especially with the height of the wing blockers of Perugia but as I said... it is big test for him.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

  • 25 attack attempt, 3 errors, 2 blocked, 13 point, 52%


    Nelli stats after Trento-Perugia 3-1 in the last RS, first round.


    I'm not saying he is phenomenal, I'm not saying he won't have an hard time vs Perugia block (that rocked in the Supercup), I'm not saying he will play as well as he did vs Piacenza... but we shouldn't forget that last year he was Trento titular opposite until he had more than a month of stop for an injury. And remember that Trento was pretty outstanding in the first part of the season, they were unbeaten for like... 9-10 matches?
    Also the year before he played many matches, but that happened because Djuric was injured, so back then it was a forced choice.


    I specify that because I'm hearing/reading quite often comments like 'finally Nelli has a chance to be titular' (also the commentators yesterday said something like that), but that isn't true.
    On the other hand I do agree this should/could be for him the 'test' year, the confirmation year.
    But I think he should have been used during the WL, instead of cut out before it...

  • And for Perugia. I think it has been said already but they need to use Della Lunga a lot more. Ivan is still not doing too great at attacking. He's not even hitting great on 2 or 4 anymore so it has to be fixed immediately. This is a great time now that it is a start of the Superlega and Italian Cup campaign. The pressure is a little more less than before so he can now sit back and go back developing his technique. I think Perugia can now turn to man-management much better than last season now that the winning core has been established. I actually think Coach Lorenzo has the trust of the board. First trophy belongs to him as a coach after all so he can probably do whatever the hell he wants for this season. I highly doubt they see Zaytsev or Atanasijevic as instrumental of the win. It's really down on team work so no one should be taking credit for that. The coach in my opinion improved Aaron Russell's blocking and serving technique. He wasn't that good under Kovac or Speraw but the foundation was definitely during the time of Bernardi in Perugia and it showed during the final. Berger also became more reliable. He even made it possible by turning him into a receiving opposite in order to give him playing time and to make Perugia a lot less reliant on Atanasinevic.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

    Edited 3 times, last by Rains_of_Castamere ().


  • True but we have to remember that Zaytsev was still an opposite and Nelli was hitting on top of Berger's block.


    Edit: And Perugia was still with Bari. :dance6:


    I do agree he should've been tested during the NT season but without knowing the details that Blengini knows... We can only specualate why he was cut off like how everyone is saying even in twitter that Italy NT was Trentino+the bench. :dance6:

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

    Edited once, last by Rains_of_Castamere ().

  • Of course, but what I meant is that he can't be considered as a player that never faced strong teams or strong players in his life.
    Even if probably this Perugia is the strongest team he faced in his life.

  • Of course, but what I meant is that he can't be considered as a player that never faced strong teams or strong players in his life.
    Even if probably this Perugia is the strongest team he faced in his life.


    I agree that he played against strong teams before. Zenit Kazan and Bolivar are strong teams but the circumstance is now different from the last time by playing in a less-known and assumingly weaker team than Trentino. So that makes the matchdays against Perugia more special for him and his case for the NT. I guess we can say... he is expected to lead his team than just become a follower so the result of those matches are a much higher importance than the results he got in Trentino.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda


    #FreeBritney

    Edited once, last by Rains_of_Castamere ().

  • he is expected to lead his team than just become a follower


    About that I totally agree, that's why I said this could/should be the year of the test/confirmation for him.*
    He has to prove himself as a leading spiker in the team, which he usually wasn't in Trentino, or at least not alone.
    On the serve I must say he was important as well, also in crucial moments. Even if the true Trento's master of 'serving hard in crucial moment' was Antonov, of course ;)


    I also agree that the match vs Perugia is an important one for him, but on the other hand I wouldn't judge him harshly in case he will struggle, at least not in this moment of the year and not after one match vs a "big" (plus, it's possible Travica will be back, and I've no idea how much they could play together pre-season).


    Anyway, Padova will play in a row vs Perugia (RS), Perugia (CI), Trento (RS). Though week head!


    *even if who shines with medium teams doesn't always shine with top teams as well, so having a great year may not translate in being a super-top opposite in the future.

  • Cebulij and Travica will probably stay out the first match of RS, both for muscular problems (quadricep for Travica, I think abdominal muscles for Cebulij).
    Travica may be back for the match vs Trento next Sunday, about Cebulij is not specified when he will be back.

  • First day of RS, tomorrow at 6 pm:


    Diatec Trentino – Revivre Milano
    Sir Safety Conad Perugia – Kioene Padova
    Azimut Modena – BCC Castellana Grotte
    Gi Group Monza – Biosì Sora
    Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia – Cucine Lube Civitanova
    Bunge Ravenna – LPR Piacenza
    Taiwan Excellence Latina – Calzedonia Verona (Raisport)

  • Cebulij and Travica will probably stay out the first match of RS, both for muscular problems (quadricep for Travica, I think abdominal muscles for Cebulij).
    Travica may be back for the match vs Trento next Sunday, about Cebulij is not specified when he will be back.


    Also Dijuric is out for a knee inflammation; he will need 10-15 day to be back (even if it seems he started training again, but he's not in Latina). Stern titular.


    Plus, it's possible Kovacevic won't play ( ;( ), he skipped some training sessions this week, I guess it's the same problem he had before the Supercup?
    In case, Hoag should be titular.