Sports
Champions League women, Paola Egonu and Milan finish in third place
Ufficio Stampa Vero Volley
Numberia Vero Volleyball Milano’s European journey ends with a victory; with a four-set (25-15; 25-19; 23-25; 25-18) win against VakifBank Istanbul in the final for the bronze medal of the CEV Champions League Final Four, coach Lavarini’s lineup clinched a third continental place, thus greeting the 2024/2025 season with a smile. Milan was good at quickly leaving behind the challenge in the semifinals against Conegliano, approaching the match against VakifBank with the right pace: after winning the first two partials, the meneghine between continuous changes at the lead suffered the comeback of coach Guidetti’s team in the third fraction, and then controlled the fourth set and thus closed the match. Top scorer of the match Paola Egonu, scoring 21 points; good performance also from Cazaute (15), Daalderop (12) and Danesi (11). Therefore, this edition of the CEV Champions League speaks Italian: following Milan on the podium will in fact be Conegliano and Scandicci, protagonists of the final for the first two positions.
The MATCH
Also for this challenge, coach Lavarini deploys Orro and Egonu in diagonal, Cazaute and Daalderop pair of setters, Danesi and Kurtagic in the middle, Fukudome in the role of libero.
First SET
It’s Cazaute who opens this final for third place (1-0), but it is VakifBank that takes the first break on 3-5, despite Danesi and Daalderop always bringing Milan back to a tie. The Turkish lineup tries to run ahead, but Egonu shortens to -1 (7-8) while Daalderop completes the comeback on 10-10; Milan takes the lead on 13-11 and with Orro stretches again (19-13). Sylla’s entry on the court gives Numia the 20-15 lead, followed by a double ace by Kurtagic; Milan goes up 24-15 and with Sylla wins the first partial.
The second set is the first set.
SECOND SET
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Great show at the start with Milan finding the break at 5-3, but having to guard against VakifBank’s comeback attempt. The meneghine continue to lead the partial and with the’11-8 grounded by Cazaute push coach Guidetti to suspend the game. On the return to the court, the Turks try to put pressure on, but Milan doesn’t stop its run and with Orro’s ace it stretches 18-13. Vakif gets dangerously close again, but Numia puts back the margin and another suspension for the Turkish bench (21-17). Daalderop rises to the top and Milan finds five set points (24-19): Sylla again signs the decisive point and Vero Volleyball wins the second partial as well.
THIRD SET
Danesi’s ace is worth the break for Numia (4-2), but Frantti leads VakifBank to overtake and on 6-7 coach Lavarini calls back his girls. Counter-overtaking Milan, which goes up 10-8 with Danesi. Boosted by the home crowd, the Turkish lineup finds the right rhythm and parity on 13-13. The point-to-point break at 16-19 and another time-out comes for the Milan bench. On resumption, Milan tries to stay in the slipstream but VakifBank finds four set points (20-24); Sylla nullifies the first, but the Turks manage to extend the challenge to the fourth set (23-25).
FURTH SET
After the break suffered in the opening, Milan tries to escape (6-3), but Markova brings parity back. Back-and-forth between the two formations until’11-13 and first time-out of the set for coach Lavarini. The meneghine re-entered the court well and got closer (13-14), finding balance again on 15-15 and then the lead on 17-15. Despite Vakif’s attempt, Milan continues to put margin on its opponents and touches 22-17. Cazaute scores for match point (24-18), while Egonu closes the score. Numia Vero Volley Milan wins the final and third place in the CEV Champions League.
POST-PARTIAL STATEMENT
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Stefano Lavarini, coach Numia Vero Volley Milano: “Today the girls approached the match in the best possible way, without dross related to yesterday’s match that undoubtedly left us unsatisfied. The fact that we immediately found the strength to get back up has a lot of value for me. Today ends a season in which in all competitions we stopped only in front of Conegliano, testifying at the moment to the great quality of the Venetian women compared to the entire world sports scene; this only increases even more our motivation to start again and try to succeed as soon as possible. All in all, therefore, I cannot be dissatisfied with our season, month after month we have had a good growth until we get to play on the field the two most important titles”.
Numia Vero Volleyball Milan – VakifBank Istanbul 3-1 (25-15; 25-19; 23-25; 25-18)
Numia Vero Volley Milan: Cazaute 15, Heyrman 1, Danesi 11, Orro 7, Konstantinidou, Fukudome (L), Kurtagic 3, Smrek, Sylla 5, Egonu 21, Daalderop 12. N.E.: Guidi, Pietrini, Gelin (L). All. Lavarini.
VakifBank Istanbul: Frantti 9, Ozbay 3, Aykac Altintas (L), Van Ryk, Bosetti 1, Caliskan, Yuan 7, Acar (L), Cebecioglu 10, Gunes 5, Markova 16. N.E. Gergef, Uyanik, Akbay. All. Guidetti.
NOTE
Referees: Agnieszka Michlic, Bernard Valentar
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Spectators: 4350
Set duration: 20′, 26′, 30′, 24′. TOT: 1h40′.
Numia Vero Volley Milan: winning strokes 5, wrong strokes 14, walls 11, errors 26, attack 46%.
VakifBank Istanbul: winning strokes 0, wrong strokes 11, walls 6, errors 23, attack 38%.
Facility: Ülker Sports Arena – Istanbul
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Author
The sports judge has issued disciplinary measures after the 37th day of Serie B. There are as many as 20 footballers disqualified including as many as four from Sudtirol. Sting for Lorenzo Sgarbi (Juve Stabia), who will have to serve two turns. Also suspended as many as five coaches, including Filippo Inzaghi, who celebrated the promotion with Pisa on the last day.
FUL PLAYERS DISQUALIFIED
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DISQUALIFICATION FOR TWO ACTUAL DAYS OF MATCH
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SGARBI Lorenzo (Juve Stabia): serious unsportsmanlike conduct, for having, at the 43rd of the second half, in an attempt to free himself from the marking of an opponent, hit the latter with a hand to the face.
DISQUALIFICATION FOR ONE ACTUAL DAY OF MATCH
FIORILLO Vincenzo (Carrarese): for having committed a foul intervention on an opponent in possession of a clear goal opportunity.
FLORENZI Aldo (Cosenza): double admonition for misconduct against an opponent.
OLIVA Marco (Modena): for being responsible for a serious foul play.
POMPETTI Marco (Catanzaro): double admonition for non-regulation behavior on the field and misconduct against an opponent.
FIGHTERS NOT EXCITED
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DISQUALIFICATION FOR ONE ACTUAL DAY OF MATCH
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BENALI Ahmad (Bari): for misconduct against an opponent; already cautioned (Fourteenth penalty). CECCHERINI Federico (Cremonese): for misconduct against an opponent; already cautioned (Fifth sanction). DICKMANN Lorenzo Maria (Brescia): for misconduct against an opponent; already cautioned (Tenth sanction).
EL KAOUAKIBI Hamza (Sudtirol): for protests against the match officials; already warned (Fifth sanction).
ELIA Salvatore (Spezia): for misbehavior towards an opponent; already warned (Fifth sanction).
KOFLER Raphael (Sudtirol): for improper behavior on the field; already warned (Fifth sanction).
MAITA Mattia (Bari): for improper behavior toward an opponent; already warned (Tenth sanction). MASCIANGELO Edoardo (Cittadella): for misconduct against an opponent; already cautioned (Fifth sanction). MOLINA Salvatore (Sudtirol): for misconduct towards an opponent; already warned (Fifth sanction). RADAELLI Nicolo (Mantova): for misconduct towards an opponent; already cautioned (Fifth sanction). RADUNOVIC Boris (Bari): for improper behavior on the field; already cautioned (Fifth sanction).
ROVER Matteo (Sudtirol): for improper behavior towards an opponent; already cautioned (Fifth sanction).
SANTORO Simone (Modena): for misbehavior towards an opponent; already warned (Tenth sanction). SERSANTI Alessanro (Reggiana): for improper behavior towards an opponent; already warned (Fifth sanction). YEPES LAUT Gerard (Sampdoria): for improper behavior on the field; already cautioned (Fifth sanction).
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EXPULSED COACHES
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DISQUALIFICATION FOR ONE ACTUAL DAY OF MATCH AND ADMISSION
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LONGO Moreno (Bari): admonition (Second penalty); for having also, at the 28th of the second half, after the notification of the warning, assumed an intimidating attitude towards an opponent.
DISQUALIFICATION FOR ONE ACTUAL DAY OF MATCH
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BOCCHINI Riccardo (Sudtirol): for having, at the 48th of the first half, coming out of the technical area, vehemently contested the referee’s actions.
GAZZOLI Massimo (Spezia): for having, at the end of the match, vehemently contested a refereeing decision.
MARINI Massimo (Sudtirol): for having, at the 48th of the second half, getting up from the additional bench, removed the ball to delay the resumption of play.
COACHERS NOT EXCUSED
DISQUALIFICATION FOR ONE ACTUAL DAY OF MATCH; ALREADY DEFENDED (FIFTH SANCTION)
INZAGHI Filippo (Pisa)
Author
The thirty-fourth day of the Premier League will experience its conclusion on Monday, May 5, with the match scheduled at 9 p.m. Italian time between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park, home of the Eagles. The hosts will be looking to keep their sights high ahead of the May 17 FA Cup final against Manchester City, while the Reds want to win to queue up for the top five train, those that will guarantee access to the next Champions League.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace’s coach, will most likely go for a scheme with three defenders, four in-line midfielders, two trequartisti and a central striker. The pivot role of the attack will be given to Mateta, a goal and an assist in the last two outings, behind him will be Sarr and Eze. On the flanks likely the use of Muñoz on the right and Mitchell on the left.
On the other side Nuno Espirito Santo is aiming to take back the reins of a team that seems to have stalled in the last month: in fact, since April 5, four defeats have come between the league and FA Cup, compared to only one success. In particular, the Portuguese coach wants to regain Wood’s offensive streak, which seems to have died down a bit in recent outings.
Probable lineups:
CRYSTAL PALACE (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta. All. Glasner.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Danilo; Wood. All. Espirito Santo.
Author
A year ago this time Girona was sailing safely toward a historic Champions League qualification: this year, however, the Catalans are struggling for salvation and need to win to distance themselves from the relegation zone. It won’t be an easy task, however, because in front of the Red and White on Monday night is a Mallorca side eager to continue the European dream, since a success would allow the Pirates to move up to seventh place, useful for going to the Europa League.
To try to move up to +6 over third-place Las Palmas, and to find a success that has been missing since Feb. 3, Girona coach Michel will line up his team with a 3-4-3 with a distinct offensive vocation, with Stuani as a central point flanked by Tsygankov on the right and Portu on the left. A three-man defense with Lopez, Krejci and Blind, in midfield space for Arthur Melo and Herrera.
On the other side, Jagoba Arrasate will rely on a shrewd 5-3-2, with Maffeo and Mojica on the flanks and the attacking pair formed by Larin and Daniel Rodriguez. A three-man midfield, with Samu Costa acting as a central link. Valery and Abdon Prats are unavailable in attack, and midfielder Manu Morlanes is also out due to injury.
Probable lineups:
GIRONA (3-4-3): Gazzaniga; Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Martinez, Arthur Melo, Herrera, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Stuani, Portu. All. Michel.
MAIORCA (5-3-2): Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Copete, Mojica; Mascarell, Samu Costa, Darder; Larin, Rodriguez. All. Arrasate.
Author
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