(PRIMASPORT) MILAN – Two top-level sets for Allianz Milano, then Cucine Lube Civitanova lifted the Jesi Volley Cup (fourth edition) for the second time, while, like last year, President Lucio Fusaro's team took second place. Compared to the 2025 match against Piacenza, the final was decidedly more balanced and vibrant, at least for an hour and a quarter of play. Until midway through the third set, when, as coach Guillermo Falasca explained after the match, Allianz Milano is a bit out of gas. Away from the Madonnina for seven days now, between the training camp in Scheggino and the trip to Jesi, captain Catania and his teammates, after yesterday's great semifinal, are suffering a sharp decline, leaving the last two sets to Lube. However, many beautiful things about this final remain in everyone's eyes, which give hope to the Milanese fans, starting with the 20 points by Basil Dermaux and the monster offensive percentages displayed in the first half of the match. In short, there will be plenty of fun in the SuperLega season, which will kick off for Milan next Sunday In Cisterna. On the other front, Lube has proven to have a truly capable squad, capable of leading all of the season's challenges. (PRIMASPORT)
The match
Before kickoff, a minute of silence was observed to remember volleyball player Stefania Corna, who recently passed away. Falasca only changes one spiker compared to the semifinal. Orduna is set diagonally with Dermaux, Tatarov and Rotty are the fullbacks, Benacchio and Bartolucci are the middle blockers, with Catania libero. Medei responds with the Simeon brothers and Alex Nikolov, Bottolo and Loeppky complete the formula with three spikers, Canadian Howe and Gargiulo in the center, with captain Balaso as libero.
The first set reaches 23-23. Lube wins the first set point and Falasca calls a timeout, but Simeon Nikolov closes the score: 23-25. The grand finale of the second set begins at 21-21. At 23-22, Bottolo ties, but Allianz wins the first set point. Simone Porro goes from nine meters at 24-24. Lube turns the tables by taking advantage of a Dermaux error, but The Belgian opposite immediately redeems himself: 25-25. The Nikolov brothers don't understand each other, another set point for Allianz, but the score is 28-28. More excitement and point-for-point play. In the end, a mistake by Nikolov gives Allianz Milano a 31-29 lead. In the third set, Milan tries to take the lead until 11-8, when Medei calls a timeout. The Lombardy team pulls away again, but the cooks react quickly: 12-11 and Falasca calls a timeout. At 13-13, the score is tied again. Allianz begins to feel a bit tired. Falasca plays the Porro card at 17-21, then also brings on Ichino and Tenorio at 19-22. Gardini closes the set at 21-25.
Fourth set with tNo substitutions for both teams. Allianz Milano restarts with Simone Porro at setter and Tenorio at center, while Tatarov replaces Rotty. Lube confirms only setter Nikolov, fielding Gardini and Kujundzic as fullbacks, Polo and Klimes at center, Tonkonoh as opposite, and Bisotto as libero. The start is all Marche: 3-7. Simeon Nikolov's ace makes it 3-8 and forces Falasca to call a timeout. At 6-10, Argano comes in for Dermaux, then Ichino replaces Otsuka. Medei's team continues to extend their lead, however, and a double by Gardini brings the score to 8-17. Zoppellari also makes room at setter. Gardini also scores to make it 13-24, Argano scores a final point for Milan, and then Klimes closes the score at 14-25.
Allianz Milano – Lube Kitchens Civitanova 1-3
(23-25, 31-29, 21-25, 14-25)
ALLIANZ MILAN: Orduna, Catania (L), Bartolucci 6, Benacchio 5, Tatarov 4, Dermaux 20, Rotty 5, Ichino 2, Simon ne, Porro 1, Tenorio, Otsuka 4, Argano 2, Corbetta (L2) ne. Coach: Guillermo Falasca; 2nd Coach: Davide Delmati.
LUBE KITCHENS CIVITANOVA: Nikolov S. 5, Gargiulo 4, Loeppky 8, Bottolo 10, Balaso (L), Polo 1, Gardini 9, Kujundzic 2, Nikolov A. 14, Bisotto (L2), Zoppellari, Howe 5, Tonkonoh 3, Klimes 4. All. Gampaolo Medei. 2nd appendix Francesco Odeni
Notes: set duration 27′, 40′, 28′, 23′; total 1h58‘'. Allianz Milano: 2 aces, with 28 service errors, 9 blocks, 49% attack points, 48% positive reception points (23% perfect). Cucine Lube Civitanova: 8 aces, with 29 service errors, 4 blocks, 56% attack points, 54% positive reception points (35% perfect).
MVP: Simeon Nikolov
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