Brunetti Castel Goffredo clinched their sixth Italian Cup confirming predictions and adding to their trophies from 2018 2019 2021 2022 and 2023. In the finals held at Palasport in Avenza of Carrara the reigning champions defeated ASV TT Südtirol 3-1 who had previously overcome Quattro Mori Cagliari 3-1 in the semifinals to secure third place.
In the doubles match Nicole ARLIA and Nikoleta STEFANOVA took a two-set lead but were caught up by Gaia MONFARDINI and Debora VIVARELLI who ultimately prevailed in the deciding set played at the best of six points with “sudden death” at 5-5.
Solomiya BRATEYKO started well in the first singles match but Bernadette SZOCS adjusted her game and won the following three sets.
The second singles match was tightly contested. VIVARELLI was leading by two sets to one and 6-3 in the fourth game when ARLIA made a comeback and converted her third match point in the decider.
SZOCS secured the decisive point against MONFARDINI bringing the cup to Castel Goffredo.
“It was a difficult match ” coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA explained. ” Congratulations to the girls. I believe they could have played better in some situations but at this moment of the season they are a little tired and we are also preparing for the Italian Championships. In the doubles we were up 2-0 but the opponents changed tactics and we struggled to adapt. We also missed some easy balls which could have been decisive. However it was a good test for Nicole and Nikoleta who will play together at the Italian Championships. We will work this week to fix what didn’t work. In the first singles Bernadette faced difficulties against BRATEYKO who has a somewhat slow game for her. She had to adapt but she managed to win. She gave us a huge help especially considering how fierce the opponents were today. Nicole also had some problems being 2-1 behind against VIVARELLI and trailing in the fourth set. She still lacks the maturity she needs especially in difficult moments. Sometimes she has to accept that other players will find solutions and she still finds it a little difficult to manage these situations. This is part of her growth path and when she takes this extra step she will handle critical moments of the match more easily. In the last singles SZOCS showed the right attitude to beat VIVARELLI who forced her to fight more during the season.”
Semifinals
ASV TT Südtirol – Quattro Mori Cagliari 3-1
Gaia MONFARDINI/Debora VIVARELLI – Arianna BARANI/Tania PLAIAN 3-2 (7-11 12-10 11-8 10-12 6-1)
Solomiya BRATEYKO – WU Xinxin 3-1 (6-11 11-4 11-3 11-7)
Debora VIVARELLI – Tania PLAIAN 1-3 (11-9 8-11 9-11 9-11)
Solomiya BRATEYKO – Arianna BARANI 3-1 (9-11 11-6 11-5 11-4)
Finals
Brunetti Castel Goffredo – ASV TT Südtirol 3-1
Nicole ARLIA/Nikoleta STEFANOVA – Gaia MONFARDINI/Debora VIVARELLI 2-3 (11-8 11-6 7-11 3-11 3-6)
Bernadette SZOCS – Solomiya BRATEYKO 3-1 (9-11 11-6 11-9 11-3)
Nicole ARLIA – Debora VIVARELLI 3-2 (11-6 8-11 6-11 11-7 6-4)
Bernadette SZOCS – Debora VIVARELLI 3-0 (11-5 11-9 11-7)
