(PRIMASPORT) VERONA Cucine Lube Civitanova secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Rana Verona in their first match of the 2026/27 SuperLega Regular Season, held at the PalaMagis in Verona. The 25-20, 25-19, 28-26 victory also marked Marko Podrascanin's first win of the season as sporting director.
The match was marked by Civitanova's clear dominance in the first two sets, with high percentages on offense (611 TP3T) and service (9 aces overall). Alex Nikolov emerged as MVP and top scorer with 19 points, including 5 aces and a block winner. Despite a closely contested third set, Lube maintained a decisive advantage in the final rallies, sealing the match after 1 hour and 24 minutes of play in front of nearly 5,000 spectators.
Civitanova's lineup featured the Moni brothers and Alex Nikolov as crosscourt hitters, Bottolo and Loeppky as spikers, Gargiulo and Howe as centers, and Balaso as libero. Verona fielded Motta Paes as setter, Buchegger as opposite hitter, Keita and Mozic as spikers, Anzani and Zingel as middle blockers, and Staforini as libero.
The match saw moments of balance, especially in the third set, with Verona attempting a comeback, but decisive plays by Nikolov and a block by Howe kept Civitanova ahead at crucial moments. (PRIMASPORT)
