Costa Volpino Clinches 29th Coppa Italia A2 Title in Thrilling Final

Italy - Ekhbary News Agency

Costa Volpino Lifts Coppa Italia A2 Trophy After Epic Showdown

LATISANA (UDINE) - In a display of grit and determination, C.B.L. Costa Volpino has etched its name into the history books, becoming the 29th victor of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa A2. The team secured the coveted title after a grueling and intensely fought final against C.D.A. Volley Talmassons FVG, prevailing in four hard-fought sets. The championship match, held at the Palazzetto di Latisana, was widely regarded as one of the most spectacular finals in the second-tier league's recent history, electrifying the 700 travelling fans and the sold-out crowd of over 1800 spectators present in Friuli.

The contest was a masterclass in balanced competition, with all four sets decided by the narrowest of margins. Ultimately, the Valle Camonica-based squad emerged victorious, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of their Most Valuable Player (MVP), Aurora Pistolesi, who tallied an impressive 20 points. Her stellar contribution was significantly bolstered by her teammates Lena Grosse Scharmann, who added 19 points, and Linda Mangani, who contributed 16 points, forming a formidable offensive unit.

For the home team, C.D.A. Volley Talmassons FVG, there was a palpable sense of disappointment at falling short, yet immense pride in their performance. They came agonizingly close to forcing a tie-break and pushed the eventual champions to their limits. The efforts of Efrosyni Bakodimou, who was on fire with 20 points, and Giorgia Frosini, who scored 18 points, were crucial for Talmassons. Both players received excellent distribution from their setter, Francesca Scola, showcasing the team's resilience and attacking prowess.

The pre-match atmosphere was electric, amplified by a captivating performance from violinist Eudora, who enthralled the audience with her renditions of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" and ABBA's "Gimme Gimme Gimme." The national anthem, performed by the "G. Rossini" band from Castions di Strada, further heightened the patriotic fervor, transforming the Palazzetto into a sea of Italian colors.

As the game commenced, the tactical battles unfolded on the court. Talmassons' coach, Fabio Parazzoli, fielded his strongest lineup, with the notable exception of captain Molinaro due to injury. He relied on the established connection of Scola at setter and Frosini at opposite, supported by Barbazeni and Gannar in the middle, Rossetto and Bakodimou on the wings, and Mistretta as the libero. Costa Volpino's coach, Luciano Cominetti, opted for a lineup featuring Magnani and Pistolesi in the outside hitting positions, Dell’Orto and Grosse Scharmann in the middle, Brandi and Pizzolato in the opposite/middle roles, and Gamba as libero.

The initial stages of the match were marked by palpable tension, leading to an even start. Costa Volpino managed to gain a slight early advantage, but Talmassons quickly responded, leveling the score at 8-8. The visiting team demonstrated superior defensive cohesion and offensive precision. Pistolesi was particularly effective, scoring 5 points in the first set, complemented by Grosse Scharmann (4 points) and a formidable contribution from Mangani (6 points). Despite their efforts, Talmassons struggled to contain Costa Volpino's relentless attack, falling behind significantly at 13-21. However, the home team staged a remarkable comeback, spearheaded by Bakodimou (6 points) and Frosini (4 points), narrowing the gap to 19-22. The set culminated in a nail-biting finish, with Talmassons saving three set points after being down 20-24, but ultimately succumbing 23-25, handing Costa Volpino a 0-1 lead.

The second set saw Costa Volpino start strong once again, with Pizzolato and Brandi contributing to an early 6-10 lead. Talmassons, however, refused to yield, steadily closing the gap to 10-11 following a powerful spike from Scola. They managed to tie the score at 13-13 with an ace from Bakodimou, igniting the home crowd. The "pink panthers" gained momentum, orchestrated effectively by their setter. Costa Volpino fought to stay close through their wing spikers' attacks, leading to an extended deuce. The set was finally decided by Gannar, who sealed a thrilling exchange for Talmassons at 26-24, leveling the match at 1-1.

The third set mirrored the intensity of the second, with both teams engaging in an open, point-for-point battle. Talmassons' Greek outside hitter, Bakodimou, was a dominant force, scoring 6 points in the set, while Costa Volpino's German opposite hitter, Pistolesi, proved most effective with 9 points. It was Pistolesi's crucial attacks that ultimately secured the set for Costa Volpino, 26-28. The set was briefly interrupted by an injury scare for Frosini at 26-25, but her return to the court brought collective relief to the arena.

The match continued to be a spectacle of high-level volleyball, a rarity in recent Coppa Italia A2 finals. Neither team showed signs of fatigue as the fourth set unfolded. Mangani (6 points) and Frosini (6 points) valiantly tried to carry their teams, pushing the set into another nail-biting deuce. In the end, a decisive block followed by an attack from Grosse Scharmann sealed the set 24-26 for Costa Volpino, sending their jubilant supporters into raptures.

Reflecting on the match, Aurora Rossetto of C.D.A. Volley Talmassons FVG expressed her regret: "There's so much disappointment in losing a match this way. It came down to small details. We made a few too many errors, partly due to some nervousness. We should have closed points sooner, but instead, we allowed our opponents to get past us and win the set. In these knockout games, maintaining composure is crucial, which we didn't always manage tonight. Seeing such support, such a packed arena, these are the things that give us strength for future challenges. We'll regroup immediately; we have a championship to fight for."

C.B.L. Costa Volpino's coach, Luciano Cominetti, celebrated the victory: "This is an extraordinary win. Winning the Coppa Italia away from home, in a heated arena, against a very strong team, shows the character of this group. The players played with heart, discipline, and incredible technical quality in the decisive moments. I am proud of each one of them. My compliments also to the passionate fans who supported us!"

The final score was C.D.A. Volley Talmassons FVG 1 - 3 C.B.L. Costa Volpino (23-25, 26-24, 26-28, 24-26).

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