Conegliano reacts and avoids the historic feat of an Osasco fighter

There were almost two perfect sets for Osasco/São Cristóvão Saúde against the champion of all Conegliano. An unimaginable 2-0 was just two points away from happening in favor of the hosts. But the fairy tale of the semi-final of the Women’s Volleyball Club World Championship, at the Pacaembu gymnasium, in São Paulo, was transformed into the most obvious outcome: victory for the Italians.

In turn, the current title holder beat the hosts by 3 sets to 1, with partial scores of 21-25, 25-23, 25-16 and 25-16. In the final, this Sunday (12/14), at 4:30 p.m., Conegliano x Scandicci confrontation, worth four for Gabi’s team. In the preliminary round, starting at 1 p.m., Osasco and Dentil/Praia Clube will compete for bronze for Brazil.

The favorite won, as expected. Osasco, however, did well. And he must be congratulated for having managed to put a rival of Conegliano’s stature on the ropes from the start of the semi-final.

FIRST HALF OF THE GAME

The first set of the semi has already entered the history of the Osasco project. The São Paulo team was sovereign. He put pressure on Gabi in the service, made few errors in the service and attack (only five), managed to minimize the Isabelle Haak effect, played almost all the time with the pass in hand, did well on the side and defended too much. This seems like a great recipe, but it’s not easy to put it into practice against Conegliano.

The Italian team, for the first time, did not feel at home in São Paulo during this World Cup. There were boos for the “Swede-Brazilian” serving, there were lots of insults for Santarelli after he complained against the refereeing and there was an alien team playing like mere mortals. The final score of 25 to 21 for Osasco was therefore fair.

Ace to De Gennaro. Haak replaced by Adigwe. Band helping Osasco serve twice. Four points ahead on the scoreboard in the final straight (22 to 18), with a majority of Pacaembu in delirium. Everything seemed to conspire for lightning to strike the same place twice. But Conegliano was alive.

With an attack from Cugno, Osasco brings the score to 23 to 20. And from there, it stops! An attack from Haak, back in the match, an offensive error from Cugno, a long exchange ended with a block from Chirichella on the Argentinian opposite. And the 23rd to the 23rd arrived. Luizomar reversed the 5-1 and in the first movement Marina Sioto committed a touchline violation on the net, then Gabi declared the turnover.

SECOND HALF OF THE GAME

Any team, in any sport, would feel the blow of a setback. Osasco felt it too. Conegliano immediately took the lead (4-0) and was able to play more freely for the first time in the semi-final. Maira replaced Maiara Basso, then Valquíria replaced Larissa. Santarelli also took out Zhu and saw Gabi take the lead as the Chinese winger and Swedish opponent seemed to feel the heat from São Paulo too much. 25 to 16 shows how much the game has changed!

The sequence had a similar storyline, with the Italians in charge and dominating. In the final score, balance: Gabi (18), Baird (16), Cugno (14) and Haak (14).