PIACENZA book spot in #CEVCupM semifinals
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Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA secured their place in the CEV Volleyball Cup 2026 - Men semifinals after defeating BERLIN Recycling Volleys without dropping a single set across the two quarterfinal matches. Playing in front of their home crowd at Palabanca Piacenza, the team coached by Dante Boninfante completed the job in style, led by Lukas Bergmann and Daniel Iyegbekedo.
Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA (ITA) vs BERLIN Recycling Volleys (GER) 3-0 (25-21, 29-27, 25-18)
Somewhat unexpectedly, Berlin Recycling Volleys started the match better and took an early lead. Daniel Malescha and Nolan Flexen carried most of the scoring for the visitors, but the hosts soon turned the tide. Strong blocking - which brought four points in this element - combined with powerful spikes from Ramazan Mandiraci helped Piacenza regain control and close the set 25-21.
The second set again began in Berlin's favour, as the German side built a comfortable 16-10 lead and looked ready to extend their chances in the duel. However, even that cushion proved unsafe. Mandiraci, together with Alessandro Bovolenta, Daniel Iyegbekedo and their teammates, erased the deficit and tied the score at 17-17, turning the set into a tense battle. Berlin fought hard and pushed the set into extra points, but Piacenza eventually prevailed 29-27, officially securing their spot in the semifinals.
Determined to finish the job in front of their fans, Piacenza dominated the third set and confidently marched toward a straight-sets victory. Their serving made the difference, producing six aces - including three from Bergmann. Robbert Andringa added two more aces, while the entire team maintained strong attacking efficiency to close the set and the match 25-18.
Lukas Bergmann and Ramazan Mandiraci were the top scorers for Piacenza with 10 and 11 points. Bergmann’s tally included three aces, six spikes and one block, while Mandiraci recorded three blocks and seven kills. On Berlin's side, Daniel Malescha led the scoring with 13 points.
Antonio Mariano"We knew Berlin would play a very different match compared to the first leg. We struggled at the start of the first two sets, but the team stayed together and in the end we came out on top. Playing every three days certainly doesn’t help, but we achieved a great result and are moving forward in a competition that means a lot to all of us and to the club."
assistant coach of Gas Sales Bluenergy PIACENZA