RGas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza rallied past Itas Trentino, while Cucine Lube Civitanova and Sonepar Padova claimed dramatic five-set victories as the penultimate round of the SuperLega Credem Banca regular season delivered high tension across Italy.
With first place already secured by Sir Susa Vim Perugia on Saturday, Sunday’s matches clarified several playoff positions but left some battles unresolved heading into Wednesday’s final round.
Piacenza 3, Trentino 1
Piacenza overturned an opening-set deficit to defeat Trentino 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 in one of the weekend’s marquee matchups.
Ramazan Efe Mandiraci led Piacenza with 25 points, including five aces, while Gutierrez added 18. For Trentino, Bela Bartha scored 16 points, highlighted by six blocks, the highest blocking total of the round. The victory secures fifth place for Piacenza, while Trentino remains in contention for third.
Civitanova 3, Cisterna 2
Civitanova prevailed in the longest match of the round, edging Cisterna 25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 27-29, 15-7 in a contest lasting more than two and a half hours.
Aleksandar Nikolov delivered a standout performance with 34 points, including 31 attacks, earning MVP honors and the highest individual scoring total of the weekend. Tommaso Barotto answered with 29 points for Cisterna. The win ensures Civitanova finishes sixth in the regular season.
Padova 3, Cuneo 2
Sonepar Padova secured a crucial road victory over Cuneo, winning 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 16-14.
Padova featured balanced scoring, led by Mattia Orioli with 20 points, Stefani with 19, and Gardini with 18. Cuneo’s Strehlau recorded 19 points in defeat. The result strengthens Padova’s position in the standings heading into the final matchday.
Modena 3, Grottazzolina 0
Valsa Group Modena swept Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 28-26, 25-18, 25-20 to draw level on points with Trentino.
Giovanni Sanguinetti scored 14 points and delivered five aces, reaching 100 career SuperLega serve aces. Tatarov led Grottazzolina with 15 points.
Monza 3, Milano 1
In the Lombardy derby, Vero Volley Monza defeated Allianz Milano 23-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-21.
Monza dominated at the net with 16 blocks. Zhasmin Velichkov led the home side with 17 points and was named MVP, while Ferre Reggers paced Milano with 22 points.
Played Saturday
Perugia 3, Verona 0
Sir Susa Vim Perugia defeated Rana Verona 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 to clinch the regular-season title. Simone Giannelli scored six points, while Ben Tara added 13.
Round 21 Leaders
- Top Scorer: Aleksandar Nikolov (Civitanova) — 34 points
- Most Blocks: Bela Bartha (Trentino) — 6
- Most Aces: Giovanni Sanguinetti (Modena) — 5; Ramazan Efe Mandiraci (Piacenza) — 5
- Best Team Attack: Modena — 67.7%
- Most Team Blocks: Monza — 16
- Longest Match: Cisterna vs. Civitanova — 2:32
- Shortest Match: Grottazzolina vs. Modena — 1:14