Acqua Sant'Anna Cuneo Claims Coupe Fred Fellay Title

Acqua Sant'Anna Cuneo concluded the Geneva tournament with four wins from four matches, clinching the Coupe Fred Fellay. The team defeated SWD Powervolleys Düren 2-0 (25-19, 25-23) in a best-of-three sets final.

This victory marks an undefeated run for coach Matteo Battocchio's squad throughout the competition. Notably, Cuneo had also beaten Düren earlier in the day during the qualification phase.

Alexandre Strehlau was recognized as the MVP of the final match.

The Final Match

Coach Matteo Battocchio fielded Argilagos and Feral in the diagonal, Codarin and Mosca at the center, Champlin and Strehlau on the wings, with captain Cavaccini as libero.

Cuneo started the final with strong determination. In the first set, Codarin's serve led to an immediate 2-0 lead with a block from Feral. Düren equalized, but the Italian opposite's serves again put the white-and-blues ahead 5-3.

Acqua Sant'Anna gradually took control, and with Codarin back on serve, they built a significant break to lead 12-7. Düren couldn't close the gap, and Cuneo closed the set 25-19 with a first-time touch from Codarin.

In the first set, Cuneo recorded a 46% attack efficiency, compared to 36% for their opponents.

The second set began with the same lineup but was more evenly contested. Both teams traded points until 16-16. An error by Cuneo and an ace from Baghdady against Strehlau gave the German team a 19-22 lead.

At a critical moment, coach Battocchio made a decisive change. After winning the serve back, he brought in Coscione to serve for Argilagos and introduced Sala for Mosca, fielding two opposites simultaneously.

This tactical move shifted the momentum. Cuneo narrowed the deficit with a block from Sala and tied the score at 23-23 with Feral. In the final stretch, Codarin and Strehlau stepped up, with Strehlau scoring the decisive blocks for a 25-23 win and the Coupe Fred Fellay title.

Battocchio: "Winning Like This Was Even More Important"

The coach highlighted the significance of the victory and the team's collective response. "It was an important win, especially considering how we managed to endure and react when Düren raised their game. We showed we can handle difficulties without losing focus. The most important thing is seeing a team where everyone can be a protagonist, regardless of their role; we need everyone, and this awareness helps us grow and unite," he stated.

Poryia Arrives Tomorrow

The preparation continues with another key addition. Poryia, an Iranian player who recently won the Asian Games, is expected in Cuneo tomorrow.

"Tomorrow we welcome Poryia, who will begin his journey with us," the coach noted. "He will need to integrate quickly into the team's dynamics, and we will be ready to support him through this process."

Two Tests This Week

Cuneo has two important pre-season matches scheduled for next week. On Wednesday at 5 PM, they will play a return match against Piacenza at PalaBanca in Piacenza. On Sunday, Acqua Sant'Anna will face newly promoted Prata di Pordenone at the Forum in Biella.

These matches will provide valuable insights for Battocchio. "We will face two different teams: one very strong and well-coached, and another with whom we can compete. These will be two important tests to understand, beyond the result, what is working and what aspects we still need to improve before the championship," he said.

Acqua Sant'Anna Cuneo-SWD Powervolleys Düren: 2-0
Set Scores: (25-19/25-23)

Acqua Sant'Anna Cuneo: Argilagos 2, Feral 6, Mosca 5, Codarin 2, Strehlau 9, Champlin 5, Cavaccini (L1), Coscione, Sala 2. Did not play: Loubeyre (L2), Volpe, Barberio, Giraudo.

Coach: Matteo Battocchio, Assistant Coaches: Mauro Rizzo, Fabio Genre.

Positive Reception: 61%; Attack: 51%; Blocks: 6; Aces: 3.

SWD Powervolleys Düren: Gooch (L1), Kosyak (L2), Petkov, Canham 9, Baghdady 5, Ernastowicz 2, Wetter 3, Hoyos- Mejias 3, Viiber 2, Nuster. Did not play: Paulson, Hosch, Jefanov.

Set Durations: 23 minutes, 27 minutes - Total Match Duration: 50 minutes.