Uberlandia (Brazil), 13 December 2024

Sada Cruzeiro-Trentino Itas 3-2, the match reporto

Match Summary; Trentino Itas took to the court with a completely new starting six for the current season; looking ahead to Saturday night's semifinal, coach Fabio Soli implemented significant rotation. The lineup included Acquarone as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Bristot and Magalini as outside hitters, Flavio and Pellacani in the middle, and Laurenzano as libero. Sada Cruzeiro countered with Matheus setting, Wallace opposite, Vaccari and Rodriguinho in position 4, Otavio and Saatkamp in the middle, and Alexandre as libero.
The yellow-blues started strong (3-1 and 5-3) thanks to a counterattack from Magalini; an ace from Bristot widened the gap (7-4), followed by a block from Rychlicki on Vaccari and a net error from Wallace that offered a +5 lead (11-6), forcing the Brazilians into a timeout. After resuming play, it took until 14-11 (with an ace from local opposite) for Sada to show a slight reaction; however, Trentino Itas remained unshaken. Bristot and Magalini ensured side-outs in attack while Rychlicki added another block for 18-13. Sada attempted another comeback (19-16), but Soli's team did not concede further (22-17) and closed out the first set at 25-19 without much struggle, led by Rychlicki.
After switching sides, the South Americans tried to respond aggressively through serving and Wallace's powerful attacks that produced an early lead (2-5). The yellow-blues quickly equalized with a net error from Vaccari and a counterattack from Acquarone (5-5). The teams remained balanced until 10-10 when Rychlicki blocked Rodriguinho to give Italy a lead (12-10); Sada responded with a block (13-13) before taking control with Otavio's serves that forced Soli to call for a break (15-17). Trento wobbled (16-19) but managed to stay afloat (18-20), capitalizing on some errors from their opponents. The end of this set was tightly contested (21-22) and ultimately decided by Rodriguinho's serves (21-25, including an ace).
The third set resumes with a point-for-point battle (4-4 and 8-8), as neither team allows the other more than a one-point lead, despite alternating in control of the scoreboard. Magalini steps up (pipe attack followed by a block on Wallace) to secure the first +2 of the set (13-11), and shortly after, the margin doubles (15-11) thanks to a net error by Sada with Vaccari and an ace by Bristot.
Gabi Garcia is now on the court as part of a strategic rotation with Rychlicki, and his attack, following a spectacular defensive play by Laurenzano, pushes his team to a +6 lead (20-14). The Sada Cruzeiro loses momentum, and Trento cruises toward a 2-1 set lead (23-17), clinched at 25-18 with a decisive counterattack by Pellacani.
In the fourth set, Fabio Soli keeps both Gabi Garcia and Bartha on the court, with Bartha having replaced Flavio toward the end of the previous set. A missed quick attack by the Romanian gives the Brazilians their first lead (3-4), and they ride the emotional wave to pull ahead at 8-4.
Trento struggles to find offensive rhythm and calls a timeout. Upon resuming play, they close the gap to within two points (6-8, with Pellacani blocking Wallace), but they falter again, as Sada Cruzeiro's block proves decisive (7-11). The timeout partially clears the yellow-blues' minds, who capitalize on a mistake by Vaccari to narrow the gap (12-14), only to suffer an ace from Otavio and two counterattacks by the same South American outside hitter (12-18). The tie-break looms (15-22) and quickly becomes a reality, closing at 25-16, as the yellow-blues fail to bounce back.
The fifth set begins with Saatkamp dominating (one attack and two aces for Brazil's 0-3 lead); it's already a significant gap, and while Trento tries to claw back (3-4), they are struck down by Wallace's attacks (4-8). After the side switch, however, the yellow-blues show resilience with Acquarone stepping up (two consecutive blocks on Vaccari for 7-8); sensing the danger, Sada Cruzeiro tightens its grip and allows no further openings (10-12), closing the match at 12-15 with Wallace scoring his 27th point of the game.

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