Member Associations | 1 May 2024

Brunetti Castel Goffredo secured their 21st title

Brunetti Castel Goffredo, in front of their fans, secured their 21st title in the women's Italian championship and received the trophy in the presence of the Mayor of Castel Goffredo, Alfredo POSENATO.

In the first leg of the final round, held in Bolzano, the reigning champions dominated against ASV TT Südtirol and posted a 4-0 victory. Bernadette SZOCS defeated Debora VIVARELLI in straight games, while Nicole ARLIA conceded only one game to Gaia MONFARDINI. The third match was fiercely contested, with Andreea DRAGOMAN, who was leading 2-0 over Solomiya BRATEYKO, recovering and prevailing in the fifth and decisive game. In the last singles match, SZOCS won a very long first game against MONFARDINI and clearly captured the following two.

In the second leg, held at the PalaTennistavolo "Elia Mazzi," Castel Goffredo confirmed their dominance, clinching a 3-0 triumph. In the opening encounter, SZOCS and MONFARDINI shared the first two games, and then the Romanian player raced to the finish line. ARLIA did not convert three closing balls and lost the first game to VIVARELLI, but she came back and won three sets in a row. DRAGOMAN and BRATEYKO battled fiercely, as they did two days before, and the home player celebrated victory in the deciding game again.

"We completed a perfect season," commented coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA, "made up only of victories. We are happy to win this 21st Italian championship. Congratulations to the girls, because they played well in both legs and deserved this title, but also to Südtirol, because reaching the finals is not easy. Bernadette SZOCS is our strongest player, and her wins take pressure off her teammates, but her two points are not enough for us, assuming she always manages to get them. We always need everyone's contribution. All the girls were aware of this and responded in the best way. I am happy with the help that Nikoleta STEFANOVA gave to our team, which goes beyond the technical aspect. However, when she entered the field, she did her duty. Also thanks to her, we have a group where all the girls get along well and have fun. This aspect is important to have harmony and fight together in times of difficulties. This year, Nicole ARLIA won everything possible in Italy, and now she has to look beyond, she knows it, and become a protagonist on the international front too. She is a serious girl who works hard and deserves everything she has earned. Andreea DRAGOMAN was a very good new entry, and I believe she can do much more than she did. During the season, she had some ups and downs, and we are already working with her to try to improve next year."

First leg

ASV TT SÜDTIROL - BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO 0-4

Debora VIVARELLI - Bernadette SZOCS 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 9-11)

Gaia MONFARDINI - Nicole ARLIA 1-3 (6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11)

Solomiya BRATEYKO - Andreea DRAGOMAN 2-3 (9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 4-11)

Gaia MONFARDINI - Bernadette SZOCS 0-3 (14-16, 7-11, 7-11)

Second leg

BRUNETTI CASTEL GOFFREDO - ASV TT SÜDTIROL 3-0

Bernadette SZOCS - Gaia MONFARDINI 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9)

Nicole ARLIA - Debora VIVARELLI 3-1 (12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6)

Andreea DRAGOMAN - Solomiya BRATEYKO 3-2 (11-9, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6)