PGE Projekt WARSZAWA eliminate Trentino after Golden Set thriller to reach #CLVolleyM quarterfinals

Fans in Trento witnessed a dynamic, thrilling and above all dramatic encounter. Trentino seemed to have everything under control, but PGE Projekt WARSZAWA displayed remarkable determination and fighting spirit to turn the match around and celebrate victory after six sets and almost three hours of play – a total of 168 minutes. In the #CLVolleyM quarterfinals, PGE Projekt WARSZAWA will face Bogdanka LUK LUBLIN in an all-Polish affair.

TRENTINO Itas (ITA) vs PGE Projekt WARSZAWA (POL) 2-3 (23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 12-15) – Golden Set: 11-15

PGE Projekt WARSZAWA eliminated the Italian champions in the #CLVolleyM Playoffs after two spectacular encounters. In the first match in Warsaw, Trentino had prevailed 3-2 (25-11, 17-25, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8).
Although Yurii Semeniuk was named the MVP of the match played in Italy on Wednesday night, the outstanding performance of Théo Faure must also be highlighted. The French opposite scored 34 points on the night after delivering 22 in the first leg, totaling an impressive 56 points across the two matches.

The home side started strongly and built a five-point advantage midway through the opening set (16-11). Trentino later led 20-18 and 21-19, but the Polish side fought back to level at 21-21. A spike from Faure restored Trentino’s lead (22-21), and his powerful serve allowed the block to extend the margin to 23-21. Projekt Warszawa equalised again at 23-23 before Bartosz Bednorz secured a set point at 24-23. After an error by Daniele Lavia, the visitors claimed the first set 25-23.
Bednorz (including one ace) and Bartosz Gomulka scored six points each for Warszawa, while Semeniuk contributed five points, including three blocks. Faure led Trentino with seven points.

Trentino responded with greater intensity in the second set, building leads of 10-6, 13-9 and 15-10. Warszawa reduced the deficit to 17-16, but an ace by Ramon Ferragut pushed Trentino ahead 20-16, before Faure added another ace to make it 23-18. The Italian side secured the set 25-19 to level the match at 1-1.
Faure added eight more points in the set to reach 15 overall, while Lavia contributed seven points. For Warszawa, Kevin Tillie scored six points and Gomulka five.

Trentino maintained the momentum in the third set, racing to a 7-3 lead and extending it to 9-4 with Faure’s third ace. Warszawa reduced the gap to 11-9, but Trentino quickly regained control thanks to strong serving from Riccardo Sbertoli. The hosts led comfortably in the closing stages and secured the set 25-19 for a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set brought fierce battle from the start with the stakes extremely high. For Trentino, winning the set meant qualification for the quarterfinals, while Projekt Warszawa needed it to keep hopes alive and force a Golden Set. Neither team managed to build more than a one-point advantage early on. After 9-9, Warszawa moved ahead 11-9 and later 15-11. Trentino closed the gap to 17-16, but excellent serving and defensive work from Tillie helped the visitors move ahead again. Warszawa eventually claimed the set 25-21 to level the match at 2-2.

In the tie-break, Warszawa took an early 5-2 lead, but Trentino responded to level at 6-6. The Polish side regained control at 8-6 and later moved ahead 13-11 through Gomulka and Tillie. After an error by Faure, Warszawa sealed the set 15-12 to win the match 3-2 and force the decisive Golden Set.

Trentino started the Golden Set better, taking a 3-1 lead after a block from Lavia. The Italian side remained ahead at 5-3 and 7-4, but Warszawa rallied to level at 7-7 and then moved in front 8-7 through Bednorz. Consecutive errors by the hosts allowed the Polish team to extend the lead to 10-7. From that moment on, Projekt Warszawa maintained control and closed the Golden Set 15-11 to secure a memorable victory and qualification for the quarterfinals - the second time in their history they have achieved this feat. 

Semeniuk finished with 15 points, including five blocks, and shared the same total with Tillie, who also delivered solid reception work. Gomulka was the top scorer for Warszawa with 24 points.
For Trentino, Faure led all scorers with 34 points, followed by Lavia with 20 and Ramon Ferragut with 16.