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Italy - Superlega 2022/23

    Watched Milano v Cisterna during this opening week of the new season of Superlega. It's too early to make conclusions of any team's strength, but here's my observation on Cisterna:

    1. They seem to strike the right balance in the OH lineup. Last season, Maar was very good at attack, but no one (Maar, Rinaldi, Raphaelli and L) in the team was good passers, making the team very vulnerable to lose momentum in a game. Both Sedlacek and Kaliberda are known for a stable reception. They also have Bayram to complete the OH lineup.
    2. The coach finally gives up on having both front-row OHs spiking from Pos 4 in all rotations. This tactic essentially took out a strong attack point from the opposite player when he stands at Pos 4, as there's only one occasion I recall Dirlic was given the set after he ran from Pos 4 to Pos 2. Dirlic has proven that he can still spike effectively even at the off-hand position, and the reinforced Kaliberda can spike from the right side well.
    3. Their bench seems really thin this season. Apart from having 3 OHs who can be used in rotations, there are almost no usable bench players.

    I am rooting for Verona this season because of SAPOZHKOV, he got what it takes to be one of the best opposite in the world.


    He has been a promising player for several years now, at least known among the Russian fan. Hope he make a name for himself this season in Superlega. :heart::heart: Good start for him and Verona to beat Piacenza by 3-2 in their home court

    Just watched the Piancienza vs Verona match, what a game! Piancienza thought they already won! They clearly loss their composure in 5th set.

    Quote from Colinaddicted

    I am rooting for Verona this season because of SAPOZHKOV, he got what it takes to be one of the best opposite in the world.


    He has been a promising player for several years now, at least known among the Russian fan. Hope he make a name for himself this season in Superlega. :heart::heart: Good start for him and Verona to beat Piacenza by 3-2 in their home court

    Verona will be very interesting this upcoming season, especially their wingers. I'm curious how Stoychev will shuffle his lineup.

    Subscribed just to open this thread, fortunately someone opened it before me...:wavy:

    I'm a Milan fan and I have nothing but compliments for Cisterna, they played nearly the perfect game. On our side, very poor play by Porro imho, outplayed by Baranowicz and Soli from the start of the game. Milad is a great player, but he needs some time to adapt to the SuperLega, he played a terrible first and second set, but in the final points he was getting better and better. We're gonna be decent in the rest of the season, I'm sure.

    Does anyone see Perugia NOT as a clear cut favourite?
    They have everything, from coaching to bench depth and one of the best rosters i’ve ever seen. It’s really the year for them where reaching the finals in every competition is clearly not enough.

    Porro is terrible, shouldn’t see the floor of the best league in the world

    What a game guys! Mergarejo to save it and Milad to win it.

    Sapozhkov 39 pts :obey:

    Really fun weekend of games, the fact that Siena took one set from Perugia is more surprising to me than Padova and Verona’s victories (again). Two young, exciting teams with a lower budget doing well is always pleasing.
    Overall, the top teams really need to develop more chemistry (with the world championship finished less than a month ago…), we will see the real value of the teams the next month or two, but the level is already high.

    I was expecting a more exciting match, but Perugia roll over the first true opponent of the year (Monza was without a good setter). What a team… even if I’m a bit sorry for the young Verona.

    3 interesting games tonight.


    Lube vs Modena: Both teams have got beaten by Padova. Modena got their self-esteem back after 3 points victory over Piacenza. My fav is Modena in 5 but they live and die on Rinaldi. The foreign limit sucks for both teams. Nikolov hasn't played as a starter and Zaytsev is back in OH. Not sure which formation is best for them.


    Piacenza vs Trentino: Piacenza started terribly and I think Bernardi's head is in danger. It's a home game that they have to win. I expect another tie-break.


    Cisterna vs Padova: Both teams won their first 2 games, Cisterna's victory over Milano and Padova's victories were surprises. Turkish outside hitter Efe Bayram had a decent start after his injury and Takahashi plays like another player from the last year. Hope to see 5 tie-breaker as well.

    Well, Lube-Modena was certainly… whelming.


    Great game by our boys that completely destroyed Siena and played a set to 29 (so a bit or excitement here at the arena).