Imoco Volley: World Final Bound - Beats Osasco 3-1

PROSECION REALLY REALLY CHASCOUSS 3–1
(21-25| 25-23| 25-16| 25-16)

Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano: Gabi 18, Zhu 13, Skognamilo, Mother, Lubian 11, From Gennaro, Haak 14, Munarini, Wolosz 3, Adigwe, Daalderop, Fahr 10, Sillah. Other. sanction
Osasco Sao Cristovao Saude: Sophia, Mayhara 3, Maiara 4, Maira 1, Pereira Danielski 1, Cugno 14, J. Gray 2, Valquiria 3, Larissa 5, Geovana ne, Marina, C. Brait, Rebeca 1, Baird 16. All. De Moura

Referees: Vera (PER) and Casado (ARG)
Spectators: 2000 circa
Set duration: 29′ – 31′ – 26′ – 26′
Note: service errors Co 17, Os 14; aces 1-7, walls 8-3

Prosecco DOC Imoco Volley, in its fifth participation in the Club World Cup, achieved its fifth access to the final after a heated confrontation with the hosts Osasco who, in the heat of Sao Paulo, made the Panthers sweat in the first two sets and then lost to the Venetian team who prevailed at a distance with a great team effort (5 in double figures!). Tomorrow the all-Italian final with Scandicci, re-edition of the last act of the Champions League.

THE NEWS
World semi-final time for the Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano, who face Osasco Sao Cristovao Saude at the Mercado Livre Arena in San Paolohost team supported by the very hot torcioca carioca. The Brazilians overtook Pool A in second place behind Savino del Bene Scandicci, the Panthers are looking for the fifth intercontinental final in their history after an immaculate run in the group.

Coach Daniele Santarelli does not change his sextet compared to Thursday’s match against Dentil Praia, confirming Wolosz as director, Bella Haak opposite, Gabi and Zhu spikers, Lubian and Chirichella central, Moki De Gennaro is the libero. For Osasco, coach Luizomar De Moura chooses Gray, Maiara, Larissa, Cugno, Baird, Mayhara, libero Brait.

A couple of shots from Wolosz and Zhu gave the Panthers their first real lead at the start, but the set is complicated, Osasco is carried away by its audience and does not concede easily (13-11). The heat and humidity are not friends of the Panthers who are prey to many errors (11 in total in the set!), Gabi and Chirichella momentarily gain parity in the central phase of the set, Daalderop enters service and Scognamillo on the second linebut the Brazilians with aces and taking advantage of the yellow-blue errors move forward. Despite the ups and downs, Haak and Zhu shorten the score, but Osasco takes the lead in scoring and manages to close out the Panthers’ comeback (21-25). The home sports hall explodes

Panthers reaction after the first points of the second set, Haak blocks for 9-7, but the Argentine Cugno and her teammates respond well. Another time-out from coach Santarelli is needed to get the yellow-blues back on track, Lubian walls, then Zhu closes to -1 at 18-17 (5 points in the set for the Chinese star). The bench moves, Daalderop and Adigwe enter to disrupt the opponent’s reception (22-20), but there is still some catching up to do. Slowly the Prosecco DOC Imoco extinguishes the ardor of the Brazilians, the defense with De Gennaro and Gabi shows the way, then Haak finds a great corner (21-23), a big block from Cristina Chirichella is needed to mark the tie at 23: The road is clear, it’s up to the home team’s malice Gabi for the grand finale: 23-25 and it’s 1-1 with a providential 7-1 partial equalizing the score and solves a situation that could have gotten complicated. Gabi takes center stage after an anonymous first set, finishing as a top scorer with 18 points, 52% in attack and 1 block.

The third set opens with a combo block-first half for Marina Lubian (great performance in the end she will close with 11 points, 67% in attack and 3 blocks)then ace from Gabi and we start at 0-4. Captain Wolosz took his measurements at the home wall, Asia scores a second line point (3-7), while there is already room for Scognamillo in the second line. The yellow-blue game now flows fluidly (5-10), then Gabi also makes himself felt with the block (18-14). It’s still the home star (8 points also in the third set) who makes the ball sing from place 4 after a perfect defense by Nika Daalderop (15-23), then Bella Haak (14 points at the end) closes the score with authority for the net 25-16 which sends Conegliano ahead.

Prosecco DOC Imoco, after the shivers at the start, now has the ball in its hands and is not letting it slip away: Gabi gets more and more into the spotlight as she goes, blocks for 8-5, Haak continues the wave with the touch of 11-5. Zhu (13 points) also lands a flurry of shots, with the collaboration of Chirichella in fast (10 points, 82%! in attack) and an essential Isabelle Haak making the abacus travel (17-8). It is a yellow-blue monologue that continues until victory: Zhu brings 10 matchpoints to the Panthers, the second is converted by Haak (25-16). It’s final!

Eyes are already on the tomorrow’s final, kick-off at 8.30pm: the Panthers, as predicted, meet Savino del Bene Scandiccianother Italian derby on the international stage, will be a remake of the last CEV Champions League final, won by the gialloblù.
The Tuscans are debuting in the event, 41 precedents between the two teams, on 36 occasions Prosecco DOC prevailed, 5 successes for Scandicci.

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN and Volleyballwolrd.tv (by subscription)live updates and post-match interviews will be available on the Imoco Volley social profiles. Following the Panthers at the Mercado Livre Arena there will be a group of yellow and blue fans, present in all the matches of the competition in Sao Paulo.