Looked Monza in the eye, but Panathinaikos “bent” in the tie break

Pity for this Panathinaikos! The “greens” were extremely militant against the highest quality Monza at the Mets, they led in sets twice (1-0, 2-1)but the terrible team of Massimo Etcelli, managed to “escape” with the victory (3-2 set) and get the “upper hand” for the qualification to the quarterfinals CEV Challenge Cup.

The effort of the team of Dimitris Andreopoulos was touching, which had a very good night Voulkidis, but also Hernandezwhile on the contrary the Greek technician did not get many things from him Giri Kovar which had poor defensive reactions.

The rematch will take place on December 21 in Italy, with Panathinaikos essentially looking for a “miracle” and clear victory (3-0 or 3-1) so that he will be the one who will get the qualification.

Now the “clover” turns its attention to the upcoming derby with Olympiakos in Rentis, where with a win it will take the reins for the first place in the Volleyball League.

The match

The start of Panathinaikos in the match was very dynamic, with the players of Dimitris Andreopoulos emphasizing their synchronized and very well organized block. Kovar and Petraeus the big protagonists for the “greens”, with Ierethuelo to divide the game excellently and Protopsaltis and Voulkidis enter the equation and give Panathinaikos a lead of three and four points (7-4 & 12-8).

In fact, the players of the “clover”, even though Monza brought the match to two points (13-11), made excellent choices in the attack and with a very good service from Petraea and Protopsalti, they “broke” the opponent’s reception and got “air” six points (17-11)! The hosts continued to be in control and although Monza reduced the gap to three points, they did not slow down with the block out by Kovar they secured a four-chance lead for the set. The first n Monza but the serve that would have brought the ball to the tarflex of the “greens” went out of bounds and the team of Dimitris Andreopoulos made the 25-21 for 1-0 in sets.

Lives opposed to second set with Monza in control and capitalizing on Panathinaikos’ mistakes to take a four-point lead (9-5) with the improbable Ren Takahashi protagonist and Schlepp to help as much as possible. The home team reacted with Hernandez and Voulkidis, but two wrong choices in the attack again gave “air” of five points to Monza (14-9). In fact, the Italians brought out all their quality in the taraflex with the amazing Creeling to “make” the most ideal conditions for his team to take a five-point lead (17-12).

The “greens” reduced to three, but a mistake by Protopsaltis and a bad reception Ierethuelo was enough that the whole of it Massim Etseli to go to +5 again (19-14) and force him Dimitris Andreopoulos to call a timeout. Among other things, Panathinaikos was asked to overcome Kovar’s poor presence in the second set with the Italian “selling” a ball, giving the guests the right to reach the +6. The outcome of the set had no turning back and Monza with the ace from Galassi made it 23-17, the wrong serve of Protopsalti gave the first set point to the Italians with the set ending at 25-18 with Schwartz for 1-1.

The third set acquired a “wild” beauty, comparable to the quality of the two groups. Panathinaikos firmly in front, with Kovar raising his performance noticeably, Ierethuelos being excellent in diagonal passes and Hernandez executing, with the score coming to 7-5. Monza reacted and after initially equalizing managed to take the lead (11-10) with the lead constantly changing hands until the 15-15. From that point on the “greens” held serve, and after an excellent defense demarcation, they reached the third set for the first time leading by three (19-16). The match became a thriller with the “clover” leading the way 23-22 and to take the set with difficulty 25-22 for the 2-1 advantage.

“Miniature” of the second set looked like the fourth as the Monzaforced Panathinaikos into “broken” receptions and forcing them into mistakes which brought them early in the +5 (11-6). The “greens” looked for a reaction and with a series of a significant series they reduced it to 15-13, a difference which could have been smaller if the referee had not given a wrong indication to a clear ace of Hernandez who was inside field. Protopsaltis, however, brought the match to a point again (15-14) with an ace. But what Panathinaikos was building, he demolished very quickly with three bad attacks which brought him back to -4 (19-15 & 20-16) but also to -5 (21-15) by Dimitris Andreopoulos to hastily call timeouts. Until the end of the set nothing changed and both teams were led to bye break with Petraea missing the last serve and Monza making it 25-18.

The tie break was a show of strength on the part of Monza, as the Italians brought out their overall quality at the most critical point of the match, “ruining” in every way the reception of Panathinaikos with her “terrifying” serves. Massimo Etcelli’s team received a lot of pressure from Panathinaikos, but took the tiebreak with 15-9 and the upper hand for the qualification by beating Mets 3-2 sets.

The sets: 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 18-25, 9-15

Here are the match stats