Challenge Cup: Novara against Wiesbaden in the first leg semi-final

novara-wiesbaden 3-1 (21-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-23)

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On an evening forbidden to the faint of heart, Novara places an important claim on winning the Challenge Cup final, overcoming the surprising Wiesbaden in four sets in the first leg semi-final of the third European cup. But Bernardi’s girls took a huge risk in a match with many missed passes, which started in the worst way and ended up back by the skin of their teeth in the second and fourth sets, won with two sensational comebacks. In an evening in which the absence of Caterina Bosetti was felt, few emerged: above all Sara Bonifacio, who finished with 16 points and 81% in attack and took home the title of MVP, and albeit with some difficult moments, Vita Akimova, even more decisive in blocking (7) than in attack: 24 points with 35%. First set which sees Novara struggle enormously to find rhythm and confidence: Akimova and Buijs make the weight of their attacks felt in the break which takes Igor from 9-10 to 13-10, but Igor suffers in reception and struggles with blocking, allowing to the Germans to impose an incredible partial of 11-3 with which they reversed the score to 16-21. Bernardi tries to shake up his girls, who have a reaction which however ends at 20-21. Weisbaden punishes the Italians’ receiving difficulties once again, leaving the score to the guests 21-25. Anyone expecting a reaction from Bernardi’s team is sensationally disappointed. Chirichella and her companions seem to have completely lost the game and wickedness, with the sole exception of a commendable Bonifacio. Igor also ends up trailing 14-20 and again 15-22. Here everything happens: Akimova (so far far from her standards) exalts herself on the block, then an incomprehensible video check requested by the guest coach for an alleged invasion (with associated disorderly protests), causes a break of almost 5 minutes which is double effect of turning on Pala Igor and making Weisbaden completely lose their rhythm. Novara scores a 6-0 with which they reopen a partial that seemed lost and after an incredible point by point they bring it home at 30-28. Having escaped the danger, Igor starts again with another attitude in the third set, enough to dampen Weisbaden’s enthusiasm and make the partial flow smoothly until 25-17. But the difficulties are not over. Novara stumbles into another missed pass which risks being very costly, because Weisbaden regains courage and confidence and runs away until the score is 16-21. Once again, however, with her back against the wall, Igor reacts, with the defenses of Fersino and the attacks of Bonifacio and Akimova. At 22-23 it is again the Russian who overturns the score and Chirichella who closes with a great block for the 25-23 . (Andrea Crippa)