The unique case of the SMI Roma Volley: relegated to A2 but at the top of Europe

The SMI Roma Volley raises the cup of theCev Challenge Cup Femminile, thus bringing the trophy back to the capital after 28 years. A competition played point by point against the real Mutua Fenera Chieri who was folded 3-1 in a Palatitian crowded with fans, with beyond 3500 appearances.The Lazio are also the fourth Italian team in a row to write their name in the gold register of the event, after Scandicci, the same Chieri and Novara last year. It is also the 26th tricolor triumph in the 44 editions of this competition.

A unique result, after one bad season which brought the Romans to retreat in series A2 And that last night showed the potential of a team “he played badly in the championship” as Giorgia Zannoni, free of the Wolves, admitted.

In repeated occasions the president of the team Roberto Mignemi, That yesterday in the pre -game he held a press conference, he reiterated that this formation is failure to support institutions and the presence of strong sponsors, Although the sold out of yesterday’s building has shown that the movement of volleyball in the capital is more alive than ever and the numbers and appearances (even in travel) prove it. In the stands for the authorities only the president of theCapitoline Assembly, Svetlana Celli e The President of the Culture, Entertainment, Sport and Tourism Commission of the Lazio Region, Mario Luciano Crea. 

The game

The first point is by Melli, which also signs the 3-0 and 5-2. Rome remains on +3 with Adelusi (8-5) and Ciarrocchi (12-9) and then stretches with two offensive errors of Chieri (16-11). The Piedmontese get closer (19-16) but, with Provaroni on the field, Wolves still run away with a lob (21-17) and an Acelusi Ace (23-18), closing the set with the diagonal of Melli (25-19).

In the second set, After the initial 6-6, Chieri raises the rhythm (8-11). Rome approaches Adelusi (12-13) and Salas (16-17). On 20-22 Orvošová enters but the final sprint is by Chieri, who signs on 22-25 on a controversial invasion of Mirković. In the third set the first break is from Rome with Adelusi (6-4), which also stamps the 10-7. Then Schölzel Fa +4 (13-9) but Chieri comes back up to 15 even. So Rome, on the Schölzel service, unleashes with a partial 4-0 (19-15). In the last few lines, Adelusi climbs into the chair, MVP of the challenge, Which with two powerful diagonals scored the 22-17 and, above all, the final 25-19.

The fourth set is pure fibrillation. Rome goes below (3-6) but resumes Chieri with the ACE of Salas (9-9) and signs the overtaking with Melli’s hand-out (11-10), which also realizes the 14-11. Chieri finds equality (14-14) and proceed with a spectacular point by point up to 23 even, when Muzi enters the service. Gicquel frightens the Giallorossi (23-24) but with the diagonal of Melli and the delicious lob of Salas arrives the counter-strip. In the end it is Mirković, with a stroke of first intention and an amazing wall (27-25), to deliver the cup to Rome, sending the Capitoline audience in ecstasy.

“We are very happy for having conquered a very important trophy for society. After relegation we did not discourage ourselves but we continued to fight both on the outward and return. We played one of our best games tonight and won with merit. ” He said it at the end of the game,Anna Adelusi (opposite SMI Roma Volley) and MPV of the challenge that brought Roma to the podium.