Superlega 2021

Leon, Giannelli steer Perugia to third Coppa Italia trophy

The Cuban-born Polish international earns the MVP award

Published 06:27, 07 Mar 2022

Sir Safety Conad Perugia, winners of the 2022 Del Monte Coppa Italia SuperLega (source: legavolley.it)

Sir Safety Conad Perugia, winners of the 2022 Del Monte Coppa Italia SuperLega

Sir Safety Conad Perugia triumphed as winners of the 2022 Del Monte Coppa Italia SuperLega after a four-set victory over Itas Trentino in Sunday’s final near Bologna. It was the third time in history the club claimed the Italian national cup trophy, after 2018 and 2019. Their outside hitter and captain Wilfredo Leon was named Most Valuable Player of the event.

The team from Perugia were merciless in the first two sets of the match, but then Trentino bounced back to take the third. Perugia regained the initiative in the fourth set and broke away in the score. Their setter Simone Giannelli surprised their opponents with a successful attack on two to bring the match point at 24-20, but Trentino fought on to get back to within one. Finally, Giannelli again was quick enough to hammer an off-the-block overpass for the 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23) winner.

Cuban-born Polish international Leon impressed with four aces and two kill blocks to top the scorers chart of the match on a total of 23 points and earn the MVP award. His Luxembourgish teammate, opposite Kamil Rychlicki, added another 21 points, including three aces and two blocks. Italian middle blocker Stefano Mengozzi was 100% successful in attack, scoring on all eight of his spiking attempts, and delivered three kill blocks for a total tally of 11 points. In addition to his excellent handling of Perugia’s offence organisation, Italian playmaker Giannelli also hit at a 100% success rate and produced three blocking points to collect six points toward the victory.

For Perugia’s libero Massimo Colaci, it was the fifth time he celebrated as a Coppa Italia winner. He was on the team’s squad during the previous two triumphs after claiming the trophy twice as a player of Trentino, back in 2012 and 2013.

“This is the first important victory for me as a coach in Italy and these are emotions that never tire. For a big part of the match I was a spectator like any other because the team played two sets of top-level volleyball. I am proud of the guys, of what we have all done together in these months amidst so many difficulties. I am proud to be part of this staff and this club, with this medal around my neck.” Nikola Grbic, head coach of Sir Safety Conad Perugia

Trentino’s outsides, Italian rising star Alessandro Michieletto and experienced Bulgarian Matey Kaziyski, reached double digits in scoring, putting away 19 and 16 points, respectively.

“There is regret because we only played well in the second half of the match. We took too long to get into the game, but in the third and fourth sets, we showed that we can fight against Perugia. For us, it was a great experience.” Matey Kaziyski, outside hitter and captain of Itas Trentino

A full replay of the match is available on Volleyball TV.

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