Match Report and Summary of the Frecciarossa Italian Cup Semifinal
PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO-IGOR NOVARA 3-0
(25-21,25-23,)
Prosecco DOC Imoco: Gabi 11, De Gennaro, Haak 15, Zhu 10, Wolosz 1, Lanier ne, Lukasik, Chirichella 3, Fahr 14, Lubian 3, Bardaro, Adigwe ne, Seki ne, Eckl ne. Coach Santarelli
Igor: Bosio 3, Fersino, Alsmeier 7, Ishikawa 2, Mims 10, Bonifacio, Aleksic 7, Mazzaro 1, Tolok 17, Squarcini ne, De Nardi ne, Villani ne, Bartolucci ne, Akimova ne. Coach Bernardi.
Referee: Vagni and Canessa
Spectators: Vagni and Canessa
Set Duration: 27′, 30′, 28′
Notes: Serving Errors Co 10, No 6; Aces: 0-0; Blocks: 5-6
The first semifinal of the Frecciarossa Italian Cup took place in a packed Unipol Arena with every seat taken, 8,000 spectators gathered in Bologna to witness the “classic” match between Igor Gorgonzola Novara and the Panthers of Prosecco DOC Imoco Volley, who have dominated Italian volleyball for five consecutive years.
Coach Santarelli starts with Wolosz-Haak, Chirichella-Fahr, Gabi-Zhu, and libero De Gennaro. Novara lines up with Bosio-Tolok, Bonifacio-Aleksic, Alsmeier-Ishikawa, and libero Fersino.
The first mini-break of the match comes from a block by Chirichella, the former Novara player, leading 5-3. The yellow and blue wall is in action again, with Sarah Fahr closing the door for a 7-4 lead, forcing coach Bernardi to call a timeout. But Prosecco DOC Imoco doesn’t lose momentum, captain Wolosz pushes with serves, and with the block-defense, coach Santarelli’s team takes off: Gabi’s diagonal, another block by Fahr, and the Panthers escape: 12-5. It’s Fahr’s moment, the Olympian who continues to dominate at the net with winning attacks and blocks, then Zhu adds a “block” for a +7 (14-7). Another Piemonte timeout. Novara switches to a more aggressive serving tactic which pays off, thanks also to some uncertainties in the Panthers’ reception, the Piemonte team climbs back to -3 (16-13), despite the Venetian bench calling a timeout. The set is reopened.
Two errors come from the Igor side, and Prosecco DOC Imoco is back at +5 (19-14). The yellow and blue reception continues to struggle, coach Santarelli tries to reinforce this area by bringing in Lukasik for Zhu, with Igor threatening at -2 (19-17) after a nice block by Bonifacio. Final rush: Tolok is a sentence (7 points in the set) and hits well from the backcourt, but Isabelle Haak (4 points in the set) replies (21-19). Two defenses by Moki De Gennaro, two costly attacking errors by the Piemonte team, a block by Fahr, and it’s set point. On the third attempt, Fahr, tonight a safe bet (5 points and 2 blocks in the set), closes out a tough set at 25-21.
In the second set, without overdoing it, the Panthers quickly take command of the operations (7-5), then at the first sign of trouble, coach Bernardi stops the game because without any fuss, the Italian champions are already ahead 10-6, with Gabi stepping up her attacking game, frequently set up by Asia Wolosz. In Igor, Mims comes in, then Mazzaro, but Prosecco DOC Imoco has found its rhythm, adjusted the reception, and besides a super-Fahr in the second set, there’s Gabi increasingly “on fire” in attack: 16-11. However, both teams lack consistency, now it’s Conegliano that errs, Bosio scores from the first touch, then Ishikawa and Tolok in counter-attack instill fear in the Panthers, closing the gap to -1 (16-15) with a 4-0 run. Great Haak (she’ll be the match’s top scorer with 15 points) keeps the Panthers two points ahead, but now the battle heats up for the delight of the audience, including about 700 yellow and blue fans trying to push their team.
It’s time for the superstars, Sarah Fahr gives the “boost” for a +3 with a great block on Tolok (19-16). Igor gets motivated and defends everything, Mims makes it -1 (19-18), but in the Prosecco DOC Imoco, there’s always the threat of Sarah Fahr (5 points also in the second set!) who creates a new +3 (21-18). The Italian central is dominant at the middle, but the Panthers still feel the threat of Tolok (6 in the set) who, with the help of Aleksic, ties the score at 23. A miracle by Zhu (4 points in the set) on a “crazy” ball and the final missile from Haak (good set with 6 points and 46%) give the Panthers the longed-for 2-0 with a 25-23 that closes an exciting set after 30 minutes of battle.
In the third set, the better start is by Fersino and her teammates. Igor goes to challenge an on-and-off yellow and blue reception (1-4) and with hits by Tolok and Ishikawa, they lead the game in the first part of the set (6-9). Lubian comes in for Chirichella, and the Piedmontese player sounds the charge with a nice fast attack that brings the Panthers closer. The Conegliano crowd explodes when Lubian ties the score at 12. The entry of the Italian central has revitalized the team, and Prosecco DOC Imoco begins a head-to-head duel with Igor throughout the middle phase of the set.
After a series of great defenses by De Gennaro, first the ever-present Sarah Fahr in the middle (an outstanding performance by the Italian central with 14 points, 60% attack efficiency, and 5 blocks), then Zhu (10 points) with a soft touch shot, takes the Panthers to a 20-17 lead. The game is fought ball by ball, and the end of the third set is like a bullfight. At 23-22, Gabi (11 points for the Brazilian star) resolves a difficult situation to give two match points to Prosecco DOC Imoco. Novara doesn’t give up, Mims bravely cancels the first one, then after a long rally, the block by captain Wolosz (the only point of the Polish leader!) for the 25-23 sentences the 3-0 victory. Mission accomplished and Panthers in the Italian Cup final for the 9th consecutive year!
PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO – IGOR GORGONZOLA NOVARA
VOLLEYBALL FINAL 4 ITALIAN CUP 2024-25
SEMIFINAL
BOLOGNA 07-02-2025
PHOTO BY FILIPPO RUBIN / LVF
Tomorrow at 3:20 PM live on RAI DUE, the grand final with the Panthers in pursuit of their 7th Italian Cup against the winner of the match between Savino del Bene Scandicci and Numia Vero Volley Milan.
POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS ON IMOCO VOLLEY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND FACEBOOK PAGE.
(Photos by Rubin for LVF)