The Italian derby at the Club World Championship crowns Scandicci, which dethrones Conegliano at the end of a hard-fought and seesawing final and a tournament played to the max by Gaspari’s team. In São Paulo, the Panthers paid for their many errors and some inaccuracies. The first set was a promotional postcard for volleyball. It was very balanced until 7-7, then Conegliano pulled ahead by four, thanks to an overwhelming Gabi and Lubian’s serve. Scandicci responded with Nwakalor and Skinner. The Panthers wasted four consecutive set points at 20-24, while Savino del Bene gained five with a rediscovered Antroprova, who had been very error-prone up to that point. The momentum remained with Scandicci, who gained confidence (10-5). Santarelli took Zhu off and put Sillah on, but she no longer had the points from Gabi and Haak. The Panthers struggle in all the fundamentals and close the gap to 15-13. Skinner and Antropova, with Bosetti in support, dictate the play on the other side and the 2-0 takes shape without hesitation.

Scandicci is less incisive in the third set (Antropova with just 3 points), while the Panthers rediscover their game, rhythm, and quality. From 10-8 with Nwakalor’s block on Gabi, the tide turns in Conegliano’s favor, who builds a small but steady lead, which widens in the final with five set points. The Tuscan team cancels only two thanks to new entries Ruddins and Franklin. Scandicci restarts with Antropova and Nwakalor. Their blocks created the break that broke the deadlock (15-10). Zhu and Gabi led the comeback to 21-all. Haak invaded for 23-22 and then equalized. Antropova wins the match point, which Bosetti converts. It is the third trophy in Scandicci’s history, and the third for coach Gaspari as head coach, after the CEV and Challenge Cup won in Monza (as 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