Serie A1 TIM: Thrilling final tied at 1-1

COPRA NORDMECCANICA PIACENZA – ITAS DIATEC TRENTINO 3-1 (25-21; 25-18; 20-25; 25-15)

Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza: Rak 5, Insalata, Meoni 1, Marshall 17, Zingaro (L), Zlatanov 18, Durante (L), Bravo 12, Dunnes 6, Bjelica 12. Dnp Pampel, Grassano, Boninfante. Coach. Lorenzetti

Itas Diatec Trentino: Kaziyski 16, Birarelli 3, Zygadlo, Della Lunga, Vissotto Neves 17, Grbic 3, Winiarski 10, Garcia Pires Ribeiro, Bari (L), Piscopo 2. Dnp De Paola, Stefanov. Coach. Stoytchev

The story, even the one of the league playoffs, repeats itself. Trentino and Piacenza were meant to meet again in the final and Piacenza was meant to win the second game, just like last season. This represents Trentino’s first defeat in the post-season.

Piacenza had a fantastic start, sending a clear message out to Trentino. The hosts were extremely aggressive and quickly ahead 8-2. However, Trento was doing its part, with great serving. Still, Piacenza’s reception was hanging on and the set was won on two consecutive Winiarski mistakes.

The second set was pure show time in attack from Piacenza. You need to read the stats to believe it: 74% for the team. Lorenzetti’s boys were not only able to vary their game but they also dared. In the third set, Trento improved while Piacenza made a few too many mistakes, allowing Grbic and co to get back in the game.

But Piacenza’s players would not give anything more away. The attitude was the one of the beginning of the game. Focused at the net, some good digging and excellent work on the counter made the 4.000 fans go wild. Piacenza would at least have Trento back in town for game 4.

Christian Dunnes (Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza): “We played an excellent game, like a few others we had this season. We were careful and focused during the whole game. This win gives us the motivation and the belief we can win in Trento too”.

Leonell Marshall (Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza): “We’ve worked a lot this season to get to this point and tonight’s game shows we did not do all this in vain. Now is the time to really believe we can make it and not waste tonight’s victory”.

Emanuele Birarelli (Itas Diatec Trentino): “Piacenza is a tough team to play against, because they vary a lot their game, you can’t take anything for granted. Tonight, they made it difficult for us in every department of the game. For us it was one of those night when everything goes wrong”.

Michal Winiarski (Itas Diatec Trentino): “Piacenza played especially well on the serve. There are days in which nothing seems to work out. We have to think this was one of those and that it is just a one off. We proved more than once we knew how to react after a defeat. We have to think that playing at home on Sunday could be key for us”.

LEAGUE FINAL RESULTS AND SCHEDULE

GAME 1

Itas Diatec Trentino - Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza 3-2 (25-18; 17-25; 21-25; 25-14; 17-15)

GAME 2

Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza – Itas Diatec Trentino 3-1 (25-21; 25-18; 20-25; 25-15)

GAME 3

Sunday 10 May at 5.45

Itas Diatec Trentino - Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza LIVE ON SKY SPORT 3

GAME 4

Wednesday 13 May at 8.30

Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza – Itas Diatec Trentino LIVE ON SKY SPORT 2

GAMe 5 (If needed)

Domenica 17 maggio, ore 18.30

Itas Diatec Trentino - Copra Nordmeccanica Piacenza LIVE ON SKY SPORT 2

2008/09 PLAYOFF DRAW

QUARTERS		SEMI FINALS		FINAL
1ª - Macerata	3
3-0; 3-2; 3-1		Lube Banca Marche MC	2
8ª - Treviso	0
		3-0; 2-3; 0-3; 3-0; 2-3		Copra Nordmeccanica PC	1
4ª - Perugia	0
1-3; 1-3; 1-3		Copra Nordmeccanica PC	3
5ª- Piacenza	3
				2-3
2ª - Trento	3					Champion
3-2; 3-0; 3-2		Itas Diatec Trentino	3
7ª - Vibo Valentia	0
		3-2; 3-2; 3-1		Itas Diatec Trentino	1
3ª - Cuneo	3
2-3; 1-3; 3-1; 3-0; 3-0		Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo	0
6ª - Montichiari	2