TRENTINO Itas grabbed the last ticket to semifinals

Trentino Itas became the fourth semifinalists after defeating BERLIN Recycling Volleys in straight sets. The Italian club had to win only two sets after earning 3-1 victory in Berlin last week and they did it quickly on home soil. Two impressive spikes from Nimir Abdel-Aziz closed first two sets and gave the hosts reason to celebrate. The Dutch opposite who played only in two first sets was named the MVP of the game. Thus, Trentino reach the semifinals for the sixth time ever and for the first time since 2015/16! In the semifinal game they will face their domestic rivals Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA.

The game started very tight. Neither team were able to gain any bigger advantage. Both teams struggled a lot on serving line (Trentino committed 7 errors in this element, Berlin - 9). From 21-21 Trentino broke away with two points, the first set point was repeated after equivocal challenge of antenna touch. Eventually, the Italians took a set win at 25-22 after Nimir Abdel-Aziz spike. The Dutch scored in total 8 points in the opener.

A passionate point-by-point race started the second part that, in fact, was a crucial one. With great team efforts and ace from Sergey Grankin, Berlin jumped out to 11-8. However, Trentino bridged the gap to tie at 13-13. Playing for 'life' the Berliners didn't let the rival to run away with the score for long time, but again two points in the decisive part of the set scored by Abdel-Aziz and Podrascanin for 22-20 were crucial. Spiking from a back row, Abdel-Aziz gave his team a desired ticket to semifinals.

Losing their chance to progress to the next round, Berlin Recycling Volleys struggled in the third part not being able to find their rhythm. Trentino used this opportunity earning a solid advantage and sealing their victory.

- Winning attacks from Nimir Abdel-Aziz closed first and second sets.
- In set 2 both teams recorded as many as 13 winning attacks having 57% os success in this skill and served one ace apiece. Berlin was better in block (3-1), but what was crucial Trentino made less own mistakes (10-4).
- Nimir Abdel-Aziz was named MVP after scoring match-high 12 points (playing in two sets). His statistics included 1 ace, 1 block, 10 kills and 67% of success in attack.
- Benjamin Patch also in two sets scored 8 points for Berlin, one less tallied Eder Carbonera.
- Trentino Itas progress to the semifinal of the Champions League for 6th time in their history; the team had already achieved this goal in 2009, 2010 and 2011 (being crowned champions on all three occassions), and also in 2012 (3rd place) and in 2016 (2nd place). It had been 5 years since the team last achieved a place among the best 4 of the tournament, but in the meantime they played two CEV Cup Finals (2017 and 2019), winning the last one.
- This victory is the 11th consecutive victory in this edition, as the Italian club began their winning streak in early-September during first preliminary round