The lower ranked teams in Italy’s SuperLega Credem Banca semifinal playoffs delivered away upsets of their higher ranked opponents in their first matches this week and now have an unexpected opportunity to double their leads in their series as they host the second matches on Sunday and Monday, all available live on Volleyball TV.
Superlega 2021
Semis start with upsets - can Modena and Trentino double their leads at home?
Watch the second matches of the SuperLega semifinal playoffs LIVE on Volleyball TV!
Published 06:22, 15 Apr 2022
“It was very important to start the series with a win. We played a good match as a team. We never gave up. We are two strong teams and the second match will be a different game of its own. We have to reset everything and go back to work in the gym, because another battle awaits us.” Nimir Abdel-Aziz, opposite of Leo Shoes PerkinElmer Modena
“Modena didn't allow us to play our usual sideout, which is an important weapon for us. We must immediately turn the page, work on our strengths and go to Modena with a positive mindset because the series is still long.” Mengozzi, middle blocker of Sir Safety Conad Perugia
“It is never easy for anyone to play here. Probably the absence of Juantorena gave us a boost, because we did not know that Osmany was not going to play... It's a semifinal very similar to last season's one, but this time we need to be able to use the home factor. We must not repeat the same mistakes of the past if we want to win game two at home.” Marko Podrascanin, middle blocker of Itas Trentino
“We can do much better than that. At this stage, every match will be complicated. In Trento, Itas will play in front of their own fans. They will be charged, but we too must motivate ourselves to face the battle on Monday. Throughout my career I have lost and won many games. You have to go on after defeats like this. If you lose you have to understand the mistakes to do better in the next match, while if you win you have to improve even more.” Ricardo Lucarelli, outside hitter of Cucine Lube Civitanova