The Italian derby at the Club World Championship crowns Scandicci, which dethrones Conegliano at the end of a hard-fought, back-and-forth final and a tournament in which Gaspari’s team played at the very top of their game. In São Paulo, the Panthers paid the price for their many errors and some inaccuracies. The first set was a showcase for volleyball. The match was evenly balanced until 7-7, then Conegliano pulled ahead by four points, thanks to an outstanding Gabi and Lubian’s serve. Scandicci responded with Nwakalor and Skinner. The Panthers squandered four consecutive set points at 20-24, while Savino del Bene earned five thanks to a resurgent Antropova, who had been making many errors up to that point. The momentum remained with Scandicci, which gained confidence (10-5). Santarelli pulled Zhu and brought in Sillah, but could no longer count on points from Gabi and Haak. The Panthers struggled in all the fundamentals and closed the gap to 15-13 at most. Skinner and Antropova, with Bosetti providing support, dominated on the other side, and the 2-0 lead took shape without hesitation.

Scandicci was less effective in the third set (Antropova with just 3 points), while the Panthers regained their form, rhythm, and quality. From 10-8—thanks to a block by Nwakalor on Gabi—the momentum shifts in Conegliano’s favor as they build a slim but steady lead, which widens in the final stretch with five set points; the Tuscan team manages to save only two thanks to substitutes Ruddins and Franklin. Scandicci rallies with Antropova and Nwakalor. Their blocks created the break that shifted the balance (15-10). Zhu and Gabi led the comeback to tie the score at 21-21. Haak committed a foot fault to make it 23-22, and then tied the score. Antropova earned the match point, which Bosetti converted. It is the third trophy in Scandicci’s history and the third for Coach Gaspari as head coach, following the CEV and Challenge Cup titles won in Monza (as an assistant coach, he won the Champions League in Perugia in 2008)

Scandicci: top scorer Antropova 25, blocks 10, aces 4

Conegliano: top scorer Haak 20, blocks 5, aces 6