Italy’s standout PIACENZA return to European stage with high ambitions

Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA is participating in the CEV Volleyball Cup for the second time in their history. They previously did so in the 2022/2023 season, when they lost to Belgium’s Knack ROESELARE in the semi-finals. They secured the right to compete in the CEV Cup again after finishing the last edition of the Italian Superlega in fourth place. Their journey starts with a ‘home match’ which they are exceptionally hosting in Cagliari, Sardinia, against Czechia’s Jihostroj ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE. 

Dante Boninfante, Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA head coach: “The CEV Cup is a competition we care a lot about, and of the utmost importance for our club too. We are diving into this European adventure with great enthusiasm and with the awareness that a difficult challenge awaits us right from the start, but we are ready to have our say. We are facing a team that is doing very well in their league. It will be a difficult match, and the most important thing is to do our job well and approach the match in the best possible way without thinking about what we have done in the last few national league matches.” 

Cuban middle blocker Robertlandy Simon, captain of Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley PIACENZA: “We all expect much warmth from the people who will come to the arena. We are used to receiving warmth. I am Cuban, and warmth is everything to me. We must remain humble and focus solely on continuing to improve. Let us forget about the matches we have won recently because to win trophies, we must continue to win. Tomorrow evening, we want to show that we can win on the European stage too.”