10/04/2019 22:51
Cucine Lube rout Skra to secure ticket to Berlin
2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Luxembourg, April 10, 2019. Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA showed no mercy on Wednesday night and recorded their second 3-0 victory in as many matches with Poland’s PGE Skra BELCHATOW to secure their ticket to the CEV Champions League Volley 2019 Super Finals in Berlin. Lube got the job done after two sets only – but they remained focussed to secure a 3-0 win and stay undefeated in the CEV Champions League this season. On May 18, they will play Zenit KAZAN in a repeat of the 2018 final and in an effort to secure their second #CLVolleyM crown after standing on top of the podium in 2002.
Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA (ITA) vs. PGE Skra BELCHATOW (POL) 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 27-25)
• World and European vice champions Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA have qualified for the #CLVolleyM final for the third time in their history – they won the title in 2002 and lost the gold medal match to Zenit KAZAN last year.
• The Italian team mentored by Ferdinando De Giorgi had to win ‘only’ two sets to secure the qualification, after recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory last week in Lodz. Tonight, they secured the ticket for the Super Finals in Berlin after the first two sets of the game.
• Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA claimed an early lead (11-5) in the opening set thanks to the serves of Yoandy Leal (three aces) and were able to hold on to it (21-12) until the end (25-15), with Osmany Juantorena top scorer (six points and 6/6 killed spikes).
• PGE Skra BELCHATOW got back on track in the beginning of the second set, which was in balance until the score read 14-14 but at the end, CIVITANOVA was again able to claim the victory (25-20). The hosts showed a very good performance with their blocks (five) and the attacks of team captain Dragan Stankovic (100%), who scored the last point.
• Starting from the third set, both coaches chose to play with their second lines, and yet Lube won it 27-25.
• In Berlin, Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA will face Russia’s Zenit KAZAN, for a remake of the 2018 final. The two teams previously met one time also during this season, in December 2018 at the Men’s Club World Championship that took place in Poland, where Lube scored a 3-2 victory after a great comeback.
• Osmany Juantorena top scored in the match with 12 points (12/13 killed attacks). Yoandy Leal added 11, while Mariusz Wlazly was the top scorer for Skra with 11.
Robertlandy Simon, middle blocker of Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA: “I am very proud of the team and so happy for the club. We reached the qualification for the Super Final after defeating very strong opponents - both during the pool phase as well as in the quarterfinals and semis. Now we will work very hard to approach the Super Final in the best possible way. Only one step is missing and we want to make it.”
Roberto Piazza, head coach of PGE Skra BELCHATOW: “Cucine Lube CIVITANOVA performed great volleyball especially with their serves and reception, putting my team constantly under pressure. They deserved to claim the qualification for the final in Berlin.”
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