Driven by the Italian’s 25 points, the Tuscans dethroned Imoco who were not enough with Haak (20): it ended 3-1 (30-28, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23)
The Italian derby at the Club World Cup crowns Scandicci, who dethrones Conegliano, at the end of a hard-fought and fluctuating final and a tournament played to the max by Gaspari’s team. In Sao Paulo the Panthers paid for the many mistakes and some inaccuracies. The first set is a promotional postcard for volleyball. Great balance until 7 all, then Conegliano extends by four, thanks to an overflowing Gabi and Lubian’s serve. Scandicci responds with Nwakalor and Skinner. The panthers wasted four consecutive set points at 20-24, Savino del Bene gained five with a rediscovered Antroprova, which up until then had been very foul. The inertia remains with Scandicci who gains confidence (10-5). Santarelli removes Zhu and puts on Sillah, but he no longer has the points of Gabi and Haak. The Panthers struggle in all the fundamentals and close at most to 15-13. Skinner and Antropova, with Bosetti in support, dictate the law on the other side and the 2-0 takes shape without hesitation.
third trophy
—
Scandicci is less incisive in the third set (Antropova just 3 points), while the panthers find their game, rhythm and quality again. From 10-8 with Nwakalor’s block on Gabi, the wind turns in the direction of Conegliano who builds a minimal but constant advantage, which widens in the final with five set points. The Tuscans cancel only two thanks to the new entries Ruddins and Franklin. Scandicci starts again with Antropova and Nwakalor. Their walls create the break that breaks the balance (15-10). Zhu and Gabi sign the comeback until 21 all. Haak invades for 23-22 and then equalises. Antropova wins the matchpoint, which Bosetti converts. It is the third trophy in the history of Scandicci, third also for coach Gaspari as head coach, after the Cev and the Challenge cup won in Monza (as assistant he won the Champions League in Perugia in 2008)
Scandicci: top scorer Antropova 25, blocks 10, aces 4
Conegliano: top scorer Haak 20, blocks 5, aces 6
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED