Mandiraci propels PIACENZA to #CEVCupM home win following stellar tie-break performance

After more than two hours of play at the PalabancaSport, Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA eventually edged Slovenia’s ACH Volley LJUBLJANA 3-2 (30-28, 25-20, 27-29, 20-25, 15-4) in the first leg of the CEV Volleyball Cup semi-finals. In the return leg, which will be contested in the Slovenian capital city on April 2, the ‘Biancorossi’ will secure their place in the grand finale with a win by any score. However, should they lose 0-3 or 1-3, the Slovenians will progress to the next and final stage of the competition, and in the event of a 3-2 victory for the home side, a Golden Set will be played.

The match got off to a bad start for the ‘Biancorossi’, who, at the start of the first set, were caught off guard by the Slovenians, who raced into a five-point lead and eventually had four set points. PIACENZA found the strength to save as many as seven set points for their opponents, saw one of their own cancelled, and then closed out the set with a spike from Alessandro Bovolenta at the second opportunity to take an advantage in the match. That victory paved the way with gold for the ‘Biancorossi’ in the next set, whilst in the third, after saving four set points, the hosts eventually had to throw in the towel. The fourth set went to the Slovenians, but the tie-break was a truly one-sided affair: ten consecutive points with Ramazan Efe Mandiraci standing behind the service line, including three aces, saw PIACENZA cruise to a commanding 15-4 win. 

The Turkish player delivered a superb performance for the home side with 23 points, followed by Bovolenta with 21; José Miguel Gutierrez registered 17 – just as many as those scored by Robertlandy Simon. ACH Volley’s opposite hitter Tonček Stern stood out with a personal tally of 33 points for the visitors. 

Dante Boninfante, head coach of Gas sales Bluenergy PIACENZA: “We knew very well it was going to be a tough game; we were up against an excellent side who perhaps play differently to Italian teams, but when it comes to playing hard, they do it very well. Well done to my players for reading the game well; I expected the start of the match to be even tougher after Sunday’s defeat. Over the last two days, we focused solely on recovering our energy and, in fact, we did not train. The tie-break was brilliant; now we will build on this victory. We will start thinking about the return leg on Monday after the domestic match against MODENA, which I expect to be another long and evenly-fought contest.”