Superlega 2023

SuperLega semis still wide open ahead of fourth leg on Thursday

Watch the Italian playoffs live on VBTV

Published 04:46, 09 Apr 2024

Allianz’s Agustin Loser spikes through Sir’s block during game three of their semifinal playoff (source: legavolley.it)

Allianz’s Agustin Loser spikes through Sir’s block during game three of their semifinal playoff

The two spots in the Italian 2023-2024 SuperLega Credem Banca championship series are still up for grabs as both semifinal playoffs were extended to four legs to be played on Thursday, when both, one or none of the finalists will emerge. Favourites Itas Trentino Trento and Sir Susa Vim Perugia lead their opponents by 2-1 in wins, but will need to gain victories on the road, at Mint Vero Volley Monza and Allianz Milan, respectively, if they want to avoid the risk of crucial fifth-game deciders. Both encounters on April 11 start at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC). Meanwhile, the third-leg matches of the the round-robin phase in the fifth-place playoffs will be played on Wednesday.

  • Watch Italy’s SuperLega Credem Banca live and on demand on VBTV.
Mint Vero Volley Monza v Itas Trentino Trento

Defending champions and regular season winners Itas Trentino Trento allowed a shocking home defeat at the hands of Mint Vero Volley Monza in game three on Sunday and their halo of heavy favourites lost some of its lustre. After a 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-22) sweep of the first match at home and a convincing 3-1 (25-15, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18) win in the second match away, Trentino seemed like a really safe bet to close the series at three games, but Vero Volley, who finished the regular season in fifth place, struck back with a historic 3-2 (24-26, 25-22, 27-25, 25-27, 15-13) victory in Trento to make things interesting. It was only their fifth overall and first away win over Trentino within the 34 head-to-head matches played so far.

“We immediately returned to the gym with the desire to move on and be ready for Thursday evening's match in Brianza. We are aware of the importance of that game and I believe that we will deploy even more malice. We want to win every match we play and when we lose there is an immediate desire for redemption.” Alessandro Michieletto, outside hitter of Itas Trentino Trento
Allianz Milan v Sir Susa Vim Perugia

So far in the semifinal series between Sir Susa Vim Perugia and Allianz Milan, the home team always wins and if that tendency persists on Thursday, this playoff will be pushed to a fifth match. In the first match, reigning club world champions and SuperLega regular season runners-up Sir produced a 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22) victory in Perugia, but then Allianz, who took sixth place in the regular season, managed to level the series with an epic 3-2 (25-27, 25-21, 21-25, 27-25, 20-18) home win in the second game. Back in Perugia, Sir regained the lead with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-13, 25-21) win of the third match, improving their head-to-head record against the club from Milan to 25-11.

“Now we are focused on Thursday's match, because we’d like to go to game five and we have to try with all our strength. I hope that the home audience in Milan will also give us a hand.” Agustin Loser, middle blocker of Allianz Milan
“Milan has players who serve with a lot of strength and precision, so we must always have our heads held high in reception as we did in game three. But this battle is not over! We must prepare with great attention for game four on Thursday in Milan.” Kamil Semeniuk, outside hitter of Sir Susa Vim Perugia
Fifth-place playoffs

Undefeated fifth-place playoff table leaders Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza will open the third leg of the single round-robin race on Wednesday, April 10, at 20:00 local time (18:00 UTC), against Valsa Group Modena at home. Gas Sales are on top of the current standings on 5 points and a 2-0 win-loss record, while Modena are fifth on 2 and 1-1.

The other two games of the leg will start half an hour later. Sixth-placed Cisterna Volley (1, 0-2) will welcome third-placed Pallavolo Padova Padua (3, 1-1). Under a new head coach, Romano Giannini, fourth-placed Cucine Lube Civitanova (3, 1-1) will entertain second-placed Rana Verona (4, 1-1), after Gianlorenzo Blengini resigned from the post on Tuesday.

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024 semifinals – 4th leg:
Apr 11, 20:30 local (18:30 UTC): Mint Vero Volley Monza v Itas Trentino Trento
Apr 11, 20:30 local (18:30 UTC): Allianz Milan v Sir Susa Vim Perugia

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024 fifth-place playoffs – 3rd leg:
Apr 10, 20:00 local (18:00 UTC): Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza v Valsa Group Modena
Apr 10, 20:30 local (18:30 UTC): Cucine Lube Civitanova v Rana Verona
Apr 10, 20:30 local (18:30 UTC): Cisterna Volley v Pallavolo Padova Padua

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024: full schedule and results

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