Lisinac: It is still too early to tell what our 'key weapon' in the #SuperFinal will be

An all-Serbian duo are topping the charts in the Best Blocker ranking in the 2021 #CLVolleyM edition. Srecko Lisinac and his compatriot Marko Podrascanin have contributed with 27 and 23 blocks, respectively, helping their TRENTINO Itas to reach the #SuperFinal where on May 1 the Italian powerhouse will meet Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE. Lisinac, who earlier this year became a father of a son, will have an additional motivation to grab the trophy, as the Champions League gold medal is still missing from his long list of achievements.

TRENTINO had a long season this year, and despite some difficulties in the beginning, got back on track quickly. Before the loss from Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA in the second semi-final, TRENTINO were on a winning streak of 13 victories. Maintaining this level of attention requires some serious work. “We are working a lot, we put the focus above all on repetitions and training intensity. We combine this with the tactical work on the field and with video analysis. During the last few months, we have played many games, without actually having the opportunity to train. Now, however, when we are about to play the most important game of the season, we are having a whole month without competitions. It certainly is strange, but we must take advantage of this time to prepare ourselves in the best possible way".

In this #CLVolleyM season, both TRENTINO and ZAKSA have shown almost the same performance in the different components, with the only big difference the better play on the serve by TRENTINO. Lisinac, however, believes that at this level of the competition, the statistics don’t say everything, and in such a matchup, everything can happen.

KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE are for a very first time in the final of Europe’s elite competition, and Lisinac is aware that they will enter the game inspired. "Zaksa have raised significantly their level in the recent years. Additionally, they have made a further leap in quality during this last season. They play a good Volleyball, and it's hard to stop them, but we have the potential to do so. However, it is too early to say what our ‘weapon’ will be. These are things that are decided at the last moment, at least from a tactical point of view. Toniutti is one of the best setters in the world and is led on the bench by Grbic, who in this role, has made history".

Before coming to TRENTINO in 2018, Srecko has spent several years in the Polish Championship, playing for PGE Skra Bełchatów. “I know all the players that we will play against in Verona; and I know the Polish style of playing Volleyball. They are patient on the field, play a lot on the block, have each other's backs and are strong on the attack. However, at this level, you cannot expect that the styles of play will be much different."