Superlega 2023

Last two SuperLega semifinalists to emerge on Wednesday

Watch the Italian quarterfinals live on VBTV

Published 02:13, 26 Mar 2024

Gas Sales’ Ricardo Lucarelli in attack against Allianz’s three-man block (source: legavolley.it)

Gas Sales’ Ricardo Lucarelli in attack against Allianz’s three-man block

There is no way around it anymore... The last two semifinalists in the Italian 2023-2024 SuperLega Credem Banca will be known on Wednesday evening when deciding fifth-leg quarterfinal matches take place to bring in much anticipated resolutions. Starting at 20:30 local time (19:30 UTC), Cucine Lube Civitanova will host Mint Vero Volley Monza and Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza will welcome Allianz Milan. The two winners will join defending champions Itas Trentino Trento and reigning world champions Sir Susa Vim Perugia into the last four to stay in contention for the 2024 national volleyball title.

  • Watch Italy’s SuperLega Credem Banca live and on demand on VBTV.
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza v Allianz Milan

This rollercoaster quarterfinal series is finally set to come to an end on Wednesday at the Pala Banca in Piacenza, when the home team that finished third in the final regular season standings and their visitors from Milan, who took sixth place, lock horns in a do-or-die battle. Only one of the previous four matches of the series was not decided in a tie-breaker, showing that the fans can expect another even duel as the semifinal vacancy against Sir Susa Vim Perugia gets filled.

Allianz Milan started the series with a 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10) upset in Piacenza, but then Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza bounced back and took the lead after a 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14) victory in Milan and a 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 17-25, 31-29, 15-12) win back at home. In Sunday’s game four, Allianz stayed alive, levelling the playoff with a thrilling 3-2 (28-30, 25-27, 25-23, 27-25, 15-6) victory, coming back from two sets down on the wings of MVP Osniel Mergarejo’s brilliant contribution. The all-time head-to-head between the two clubs now stands at 13-6 Gas Sales’ way.

“The playoffs are very complicated. Each match is a story in itself and game five will be no different - a very difficult and complicated match, but not only for us, we have the advantage of playing in front of our fans and this is no small thing. However, we will have to be very concentrated and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way in the decisive moments without wasting important balls.” Edoardo Caneschi, middle blocker of Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza
“It was an incredible match on Sunday. We really couldn't lose in front of our people. The Mergarejo from last year's playoffs is back! Even though I've played a little less this year, it's important to always be ready. On Wednesday, it will be a war!” Osniel Mergarejo, outside hitter of Allianz Milan
Cucine Lube Civitanova v Mint Vero Volley Monza

Will Cucine Lube Civitanova be able to mount a complete turnaround after losing the first two matches of their quarterfinal series against Mint Vero Volley Monza? That’s the question the home fans will be eager to find the answer to on Wednesday, when the two teams cross swords in a crucial final duel at the Eurosuole Forum in Civitanova Marche. The winner of that battle will earn the right to challenge regular season winners and championship favourites Itas Trentino Trento in the other semifinal playoff. As the team that finished the regular season in a higher position, fourth place, Lube will have the home-court advantage in this deciding match against fifth-placed Vero Volley.

Vero Volley started the series with a 3-1 (28-26, 20-25, 25-11, 25-20) away victory in the first leg and followed up with a 3-1 (24-26, 25-18, 25-21, 25-20) home win in the second. In the third leg, however, Lube recovered partially with a narrow 3-2 (21-25, 30-28, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11) comeback at home to stay alive, and backed it up with another five-set victory, 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-13) in Monza, to level the series. The club from Civitanova now leads the all-time head-to-head against Vero Volley by 22-7.

“We made a good comeback, bringing the series back to parity after finding ourselves 0-2 down. The work, however, is not yet finished, so we head to Wednesday's match with a semifinal spot at stake. We will play at home and we all hope to see the stands full, with our fans pushing us as they did last Sunday in Monza. I take this opportunity to thank them.” Adis Lagumdzija, opposite of Cucine Lube Civitanova

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024 quarterfinals – 5th leg:
Mar 27, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Cucine Lube Civitanova v Mint Vero Volley Monza
Mar 27, 20:30 local (19:30 UTC): Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza v Allianz Milan

SuperLega Credem Banca 2023-2024: full schedule and results

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