TeamSystem VL Under 19 eliminated by Stella Azzurra Roma in the semi-final of the national play-offs

The season of the Italian national team ended in the first semi-final of the national play-offs TeamSystem VL under 19, who lost 73-53 in Calcinaia (Pisa) with the Stella Azzurra Rome. The team from the capital was the favorite, having finished second in their group, against the sixth-place team from Pesaro, but coach Luminati's team played an excellent game, giving in only at a distance. The first quarter saw the team from Pesaro suffer from the greater physicality of Rome and immediately go down in the score 13-5, but after the timeout they loosened up, finding the way to the basket more and closing at 10' 18-15. In the second quarter Vuelle further increased their aggressiveness, earning numerous trips to the free throw line that brought them to the lead at 20-21; a brief acceleration brought Stella back to +7, but once again VL, this time led by Cornis, responded by getting back to -1, before D'Arcangeli with five points in a row sealed the 40-33 of the interval. Upon returning to the field, Pesaro continues to put the opponents in difficulty on the rebound, but stops scoring, and Stella Azzurra runs away in the score possession after possession (54-37 at 26'), then settling on this distance that provides them with security until the final siren. Excellent performance by David Cornis, with 19 points, and by Reginato, with 15.

Under 17. First defeat in the interregional group after a dirty game in Cecina. Pesaro in the last quarter suffers the partial of the opponents, who score 9 free throws only in the last minutes, losing 69-62. With the victories of Virtus Bologna and Jesi, the ranking now sees VL first with one more victory than the two pursuers. Next match in Baia Flaminia on April 23 against Virtus Bologna for a heated derby. Also in the under 17 excellence, the playoffs have begun, in a round trip format, to decree the winning team of the regional cup. With all the participants classified, Bramante started off on the right foot, winning away in Pontevecchio (Perugia) 57-68, while both Italservice Loreto and Proca Gators were defeated in the first leg match. The discussion remains open for Loreto, defeated 48-49 by Montegranaro, despite having to do without two members due to disqualification, while it is almost impossible for the Gators to recover from -29 (47-76).

Under 15 Excellence. Decisive victory in Perugia 80-91 for VL in order to conquer third place, valid for the national pre-playoffs. The team trained by coach Bertoni will take the field on Sunday 4 May in a single match against Rendimax Apu Udine, third place in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The winner will get the pass for the playoffs on 11 May.

Leonardo Selvatici