Champions League: the teams in the quarterfinals

Yesterday, February 27, there was the final round of the pool stage of the Champions League.
The winner of each group and the three best second secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
All five pool winners were known, so yesterday's matches had to determine the other three qualified teams.

Civitanova and Perugia were already qualified, as unreachable on top of their pool standings; on the contrary, for Modena the situation was very complicated.
Yesterday, Perugia resorted to some bench players and beat Arkas Izmir 3-1.
Modena went to Czech Republic without Urnaut, Zaytsev and Mazzone, in addition to the injured Christenson, and got a good victory, but it wasn't enough to move on to the next stage.
Great performance by Civitanova: Polish opponents led 2-0 and were 24-20 in the third set; closing that set would have allowed them to qualify for the quarterfinals, but Lube reopened the game winning the set (Zaksa wasted nine match-points) and then the whole match.


These are the teams that will take part in the quarterfinals:

• pool winners: Zenit Kazan, Cucine Lube Civitanova, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Trefl Gdansk, Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 
• three best second: Chaumont VB 52 HM, PGE Skra Belchatow, Dinamo Moscow 

    

 
The results of the last round:

Pool A

• Zenit Kazan - Halkbank Ankara 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 28-26)  
• Knack Roeselare - United Volleys Frankfurt 3-1 (25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 25-15) 

Standing

• Zenit Kazan 18 
• Halkbank Ankara 8 
• Knack Roeselare 6 
• United Volleys Frankfurt 4 

Pool B

• Cucine Lube Civitanova - ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 34-32, 25-21, 15-12) 
• VK CEZ Karlovarsko - Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 0-3 (18-25, 21-25, 19-25) 

Standing

• Cucine Lube Civitanova 17 
• ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 10 
• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 9 
• VK CEZ Karlovarsko 0  

Pool C

• Zenit Saint Petersburg - VfB Friedrichshafen 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) 
• ACH Volley Ljubljana - Chaumont VB 52 HM 1-3 (17-25, 25-23, 15-25, 16-25) 

Standing

• Zenit Saint Petersburg 15 
• Chaumont VB 52 HM 13 
• VfB Friedrichshafen 6 
• ACH Volley Ljubljana 2 

Pool D

• PGE Skra Belchatow - Berlin Recycling Volleys 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 31-29) 
• Greenyard Maaseik - Trefl Gdansk 0-3 (20-25, 21-25, 21-25) 

Standing

• Trefl Gdansk 14 
• PGE Skra Belchatow 11 
• Greenyard Maaseik 6 
• Berlin Recycling Volleys 5 

Pool E

• Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia - Arkas Izmir 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 25-27, 25-16) 
• Tours VB - Dinamo Moscow 0-3 (23-25, 17-25, 31-33) 

Standing

• Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 18 
• Dinamo Moscow 12 
• Tours VB 5 
• Arkas Izmir 1 

           

Challenge Cup: first defeat for Monza

Vero Volley Monza suffered the first defeat in Challenge Cup in the first leg of the semifinal.
A great start for the Italian team, which led 2-0, then the players of SC Portugal Lisboa came back and managed not only to tied the score at 2-2 but also to win the tie-break.

On March 6, there will be the return match in Portugal. To reach the final, Monza will have to win 3-0 or 3-1, or play and win the golden set in case of a 3-2 victory.


In the other semifinal, Belogorie Belgorod dominated the match, which lasted just over an hour, and won against their French opponents 3-0.


The results:

Vero Volley Monza - SC Portugal Lisboa 2-3 (26-24, 25-12, 22-25, 22-25, 8-15)

Belogorie Belgorod - Stade Poitevin Poitiers 3-0 (25-11, 25-23, 25-17)


       

CEV Cup: Trento wins the first leg of the semifinal

Yesterday, in Greece, Itas Trentino has achieved its goal, beating Olympiacos Piraeus 3-0 in the first leg of the CEV Cup semifinal.

A great match in attack for Trento (72%), led by a determined Giannelli, who also scored seven blocks.

The return will be played on March 5. Trento is two sets away from the final.


In the other semifinal, the hosts of Kuzbass Kemerovo won. After losing the first set, they managed to react and put pressure on the opponents' reception with their serves.


The results:

Olympiacos Piraeus - Itas Trentino 0-3 (17-25, 19-25, 24-26)

Kuzbass Kemerovo - Galatasaray Istanbul 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-15)


 

Verona will end this season without Jaeschke

Calzedonia Verona has announced that the outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke, never seen on the court this season because of an injury, will not be available even for the final phase of the Regular Season and the Play Offs.
In fact, recent diagnostic tests have shown that the athlete must continue his rehabilitation.


     

Nimir Abdel-Aziz renews with Milano

Revivre Axopower Milano has announced the renewal of the contract of Nimir Abdel-Aziz for the next two seasons.

For the Dutch opposite this is the second year at Revivre and from next year, finally, he and his teammates will play in Milano, in the long-awaited PalaLido (which will be called Allianz Cloud).


     

Results and Ranking of the 22nd turn of regular season

Results:

• Itas Trentino - Kioene Padova 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-16) 

       MVP: Luca Vettori

• Calzedonia Verona - Revivre Axopower Milano 0-3 (24-26, 15-25, 19-25) 

       MVP: Nimir Abdel-Aziz

• Vero Volley Monza - Sir Safety Conad Perugia 0-3 (22-25, 20-25, 20-25) 

       MVP: Luciano De Cecco

• Emma Villas Siena - Cucine Lube Civitanova 1-3 (13-25, 20-25, 28-26, 21-25) 

       MVP: Bruno Mossa De Rezende

• BCC Castellana Grotte - Top Volley Latina 3-2 (25-23, 28-26, 15-25, 19-25, 17-15) 

       MVP: Aidan Zingel

• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena - Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20) 

       MVP: Ivan Zaytsev

• Consar Ravenna - Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora 1-3 (20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25) 

       MVP: Dusan Petkovic





Ranking:

  1° Sir Safety Conad Perugia: 57    
  2° Itas Trentino: 54 
  3° Cucine Lube Civitanova: 53  
  4° Azimut Leo Shoes Modena: 45   
  5° Revivre Axopower Milano: 45   
  6° Calzedonia Verona: 37    
  7° Kioene Padova: 32 
  8° Vero Volley Monza: 30     
  9° Consar Ravenna: 25 
10° Top Volley Latina: 23   
11° Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora: 21 
12° Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia: 19 
13° Emma Villas Siena: 13  
14° BCC Castellana Grotte: 8  

       

     

Results and Ranking of the 21st turn of regular season

Results:

• Revivre Axopower Milano - Emma Villas Siena 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 32-30, 25-22) 

       MVP: Nicola Pesaresi

• Top Volley Latina - Consar Ravenna 2-3 (25-17, 19-25, 27-25, 21-25, 12-15) 

       MVP: Kamil Rychlicki

• Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora - Vero Volley Monza 0-3 (22-25, 19-25, 19-25) 

       MVP: Oleh Plotnytskyi

• Kioene Padova - Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-15) 

       MVP: Maurice Armando Torres

• Sir Safety Conad Perugia - BCC Castellana Grotte 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20) 

       MVP: Aleksandar Atanasijevic

• Cucine Lube Civitanova - Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-19) 

       MVP: Tsvetan Sokolov

• Calzedonia Verona - Itas Trentino --> 18/02/2019 

Ranking:

  1° Sir Safety Conad Perugia: 54    
  2° Cucine Lube Civitanova: 50
  3° Itas Trentino*: 50  
  4° Azimut Leo Shoes Modena: 42   
  5° Revivre Axopower Milano: 42   
  6° Calzedonia Verona*: 35    
  7° Kioene Padova: 32 
  8° Vero Volley Monza: 30     
  9° Consar Ravenna: 25 
10° Top Volley Latina: 22   
11° Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia: 19 
12° Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora: 18 
13° Emma Villas Siena: 13  
14° BCC Castellana Grotte: 6  


  * = one match less

   

Champions League: Perugia qualifies for the quarterfinals. Civitanova beats Modena

In this week of Champions League, Perugia beat Dinamo Moscow, qualifying for the quartefinals.
Civitanova won the Italian derby with Modena. Lube, already qualified for the quarterfinals, scored its fifth win in a row. Modena, without Christenson (he had knee surgery), played a good match, but it wasn't enough.   


Pool A

• United Volleys Frankfurt - Zenit Kazan 1-3 (19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 18-25) 
• Knack Roeselare - Halkbank Ankara 1-3 (22-25, 25-20, 17-25, 19-25) 

Standing

• Zenit Kazan 15 
• Halkbank Ankara 8 
• United Volleys Frankfurt 4 
• Knack Roeselare 3 

Pool B

• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena - Cucine Lube Civitanova 1-3 (27-25, 26-28, 23-25, 21-25) 
• VK CEZ Karlovarsko - ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 0-3 (19-25, 23-25, 18-25) 

Standing 

• Cucine Lube Civitanova 15 
• ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 9 
• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 6 
• VK CEZ Karlovarsko 0 

Pool C

• Chaumont VB 52 HM - Zenit Saint Petersburg 2-3 (24-26, 25-13, 19-25, 25-17, 18-20) 
• ACH Volley Ljubljana - VfB Friedrichshafen 2-3 (25-21, 22-25, 16-25, 25-22, 7-15) 

Standing 

• Zenit Saint Petersburg 12 
• Chaumont VB 52 HM 10 
• VfB Friedrichshafen 6 
• ACH Volley Ljubljana 2 

Pool D

• Trefl Gdansk - PGE Skra Belchatow 3-2 (25-22, 28-26, 21-25, 18-25, 16-14) 
• Greenyard Maaseik - Berlin Recycling Volleys 2-3 (25-22, 25-20, 29-31, 22-25, 13-15) 

Standing 

• Trefl Gdansk 11 
• PGE Skra Belchatow 8 
• Greenyard Maaseik 6 
• Berlin Recycling Volleys 5 

Pool E

• Dinamo Moscow - Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 1-3 (25-22, 21-25, 20-25, 23-25) 
• Tours VB - Arkas Izmir 3-2 (25-21, 25-16, 20-25, 22-25, 15-12) 

Standing 

• Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 15 
• Dinamo Moscow 9 
• Tours VB 5 
• Arkas Izmir 1 

   
   

CEV Cup: Trento qualified for the semifinals

With a 3-0 victory, Itas Trentino beat Lindaren Volley Amriswil and claim a spot in the semifinals of the CEV Cup.

Giannelli, Kovacevic and Lisinac didn't play, but they were replaced very well. And one of the substitutes, middle blocker Lorenzo Codarin, won the MVP award.

This match was also the debut in the first team for two young players, Alessandro Michieletto (outside hitter) and Filippo Pizzini (setter), on the court for some points.

In the semifinal Trento will face Olympiacos Piraeus. The first round will be played on February 26 in Greece, the return on March 5 in Italy.

The other semifinal is between the Russians of Kuzbass Kemerovo and the Turks of Galatasaray Istanbul.


Itas Trentino - Lindaren Volley Amriswil 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-16)


 

Trevor Clevenot is the January MVP

The best player of the month is Trevor Clevenot.
The French outside hitter of Revivre Axopower Milano will get the Credem Banca MVP award tomorrow, February 16, before the match against Siena.


   

Challenge Cup: Monza qualified for the semifinals

Vero Volley Monza needed to win two sets to qualify for the Challenge Cup semifinals, but even after reaching this goal the Italian team remained concentrated and defeated the Slovenian opponents of Calcit Volley Kamnik in three sets.

Monza got to the semifinals in its debut year in a European Cup.

In the semifinal Monza will face the team SC Portugal Lisboa. The first leg will be played on February 27 in Italy, while the return is scheduled for March 6 in Portugal.

The other semifinal is between the Russians of Belogorie Belgorod and the French of Stade Poitevin Poitiers.


The results:

• Calcit Volley Kamnik - Vero Volley Monza 0-3 (25-27, 18-25, 23-25) 
• Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Belogorie Belgorod 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-22) --> Golden Set: 12-15 
• Stade Poitevin Poitiers - Hapoel Yoav Kfar Saba 3-1 (25-23, 30-28, 22-25, 25-21) --> Golden Set: 15-12 
• Fonte Bastardo Azores - SC Portugal Lisboa 3-2 (17-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-13) 

       

Knee surgery for Micah Christenson

Azimut Leo Shoes Modena announces that tomorrow Micah Christenson will undergo a medial meniscus surgery on his left knee.
Recovery times will be evaluated after the operation.


   

Coppa Italia: Perugia wins at the tie-break

One year later, it is still Sir Safety Conad Perugia to win the trophy.
The second Coppa Italia in its history and the second consecutive.

In a packed Unipol Arena the audience saw a real show, a final full of emotions and uncertain until the last ball fell to the ground.

Cucine Lube Civitanova started with the right rhythm, determination and an unstoppable Sokolov, and led 2-0.
Ended match? No.
Sir changed his attitude in the third set and built a good lead with aces. But Lube didn't give up and in the final phase has recovered the seven points of disadvantage that had accumulated. In the end, however, Perugia won.
In the fourth set Perugia was losing 16-19. Then came Leon's turn to service, which brought two aces and a series of Ricci's winning spikes. And the situation has reversed: 22-19. Civitanova managed to tie, but Perugia absolutely wanted to reach the tie-break, and it did.
A balanced tie-break, uncertain, compelling, and on 14-13 Leon has scored the point of victory.

The two teams showed a high level and both could have won.
In matches like this every detail is important and makes the difference, every point, being able to stay focused, always aiming towards the goal.
Civitanova led 2-0 and played well, as did Perugia. A missed opportunity that certainly hurts, but Lube left the competition with its head held up high.


Sir Safety Conad Perugia - Cucine Lube Civitanova 3-2 (21-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-13)

MVP: Wilfredo Leon Venero



The winner of the Coppa Italia can take part in the CEV Cup 2019/2020 (in case of qualification to the Champions League the place is left to the best classified in the Regular Season that doesn't participate in the Champions League) and the Final Four of the Supercoppa next season.


 

Vibo Valentia: Bagnoli is the new coach

The new coach of Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia is Daniele Bagnoli.
From tomorrow he will start training the team, which will play against Padova on Sunday 17.


 

Coppa Italia: the final is Perugia - Civitanova

The first semifinal was between Perugia and Modena. Sir played a good game, with a strong reaction even in the most complicated moment of the match, the second set, in which Modena had a five-point lead.

The second semifinal, between Trento and Civitanova, was much more balanced. Neither team wanted to surrender. At the tie-break Lube proved more determined.

• Sir Safety Conad Perugia - Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 3-0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-17) 

• Itas Trentino - Cucine Lube Civitanova 2-3 (20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-15, 10-15)  

 

Valentini is no longer the coach of Vibo Valentia

Six rounds before the end of the Regular Season, Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia announces that Antonio Valentini is no longer the coach of the team.
The team is temporarily entrusted to the Technical Director Nicola Agricola.


   

Knee surgery for Luigi Randazzo

 

The injury to Luigi Randazzo's right knee, which occurred during the championship match on December 9, proved to be more serious than expected. 

In fact, at the beginning, no surgical intervention seemed necessary and the return to the court was expected after about a month and a half. 

Today Kioene Padova has instead announced that, after various medical opinions, it was decided to perform a surgical operation to stabilize the knee, allowing a better development of his career as an athlete. Long recovery times are expected, around six months. 

     

Results and Ranking of the 20th turn of regular season

Results:

• Consar Ravenna - Calzedonia Verona 0-3 (22-25, 22-25, 20-25) 

       MVP: Matey Kaziyski

• Emma Villas Siena - Kioene Padova 2-3 (21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 11-15) 

       MVP: Dragan Travica

• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena - Sir Safety Conad Perugia 1-3 (25-23, 18-25, 20-25, 21-25) 

       MVP: Wilfredo Leon Venero

• Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora - Cucine Lube Civitanova 0-3 (20-25, 21-25, 22-25) 

       MVP: Yoandy Leal

• Vero Volley Monza - Revivre Axopower Milano 0-3 (16-25, 21-25, 19-25) 

       MVP: Nimir Abdel-Aziz

• Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia - Top Volley Latina 1-3 (20-25, 21-25, 25-20, 24-26) 

       MVP: Swan Ngapeth

• Itas Trentino - BCC Castellana Grotte 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-20) 

       MVP: Uros Kovacevic





Ranking:

  1° Sir Safety Conad Perugia: 51    
  2° Itas Trentino: 50 
  3° Cucine Lube Civitanova: 47 
  4° Azimut Leo Shoes Modena: 42   
  5° Revivre Axopower Milano: 39   
  6° Calzedonia Verona: 35    
  7° Kioene Padova: 29 
  8° Vero Volley Monza*: 24     
  9° Consar Ravenna: 23 
10° Top Volley Latina: 21   
11° Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia*: 19 
12° Globo Banca Popolare del Frusinate Sora*: 16 
13° Emma Villas Siena*: 12  
14° BCC Castellana Grotte: 6  


  * = one match less

    

Champions League: important victories for Perugia and Civitanova, defeat for Modena

Clear victory for Perugia, which is the only team undefeated in Pool E.
Also Civitanova wins 3-0, conquering the qualification to the quarterfinals with two matches still to play.
Modena, on the other hand, loses against the Polish team ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle, with whom the fight for a spot in the quarterfinals is under way.


Pool A

• Zenit Kazan - Knack Roeselare 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20) 
• Halkbank Ankara - United Volleys Frankfurt 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21) 

Standing 

• Zenit Kazan 12 
• Halkbank Ankara 5 
• United Volleys Frankfurt 4 
• Knack Roeselare 3 

Pool B

• Cucine Lube Civitanova - VK CEZ Karlovarsko 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-14) 
• ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle - Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-22) 

Standing 

• Cucine Lube Civitanova 12 
• ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 6 
• Azimut Leo Shoes Modena 6 
• VK CEZ Karlovarsko 0 

Pool C

• Zenit Saint Petersburg - ACH Volley Ljubljana 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19) 
• VfB Friedrichshafen - Chaumont VB 52 HM 2-3 (19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 14-16) 

Standing 

• Zenit Saint Petersburg 10 
• Chaumont VB 52 HM 9 
• VfB Friedrichshafen 4 
• ACH Volley Ljubljana 1 

Pool D

• PGE Skra Belchatow - Greenyard Maaseik 2-3 (16-25, 29-27, 25-16, 21-25, 12-15) 
• Berlin Recycling Volleys - Trefl Gdansk 0-3 (20-25, 21-25, 36-38) 

Standing 

• Trefl Gdansk 9 
• PGE Skra Belchatow 7 
• Greenyard Maaseik 5 
• Berlin Recycling Volleys 3 

Pool E

• Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia - Tours VB 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-19) 
• Arkas Izmir - Dinamo Moscow 0-3 (22-25, 16-25, 18-25) 

Standing 

• Sir Colussi Sicoma Perugia 12 
• Dinamo Moscow 9 
• Tours VB 3 
• Arkas Izmir 0 

     

CEV Cup: another victory for Trento

A good team performance and a great victory for Itas Trentino in Switzerland, in the first leg of the CEV Cup quarterfinals.
Giannelli led the game with the usual confidence and ability, and scored 3 aces and 4 blocks.
Russell confirmed his excellent shape. He scored 16 points, including 2 aces, with 82% in attack.
Thanks to this 3-0 against Lindaren Volley Amriswil, on February 13 Trento will have to win two sets to secure its spot in the semifinals.


Lindaren Volley Amriswil - Itas Trentino 0-3 (21-25, 19-25, 20-25)

       

Challenge Cup: Monza wins the quarterfinals first leg

After the first set won by the Slovenians of Calcit Volley Kamnik, Monza reacts and reverses the situation, with a 3-1 victory.
19 blocks scored and fifth win in Challenge Cup.
The return will be played in Slovenia on February 13 at 8:00 pm: the semifinals are only two sets away for the Italian team.


The results:

• Vero Volley Monza - Calcit Volley Kamnik 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18) 
• Belogorie Belgorod - Sport Lisboa e Benfica 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 29-27) 
• Hapoel Yoav Kfar Saba - Stade Poitevin Poitiers 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) 
• SC Portugal Lisboa - Fonte Bastardo Azores 3-0 (35-33, 25-20, 25-22)