So close, yet so far! India’s very own Ahmedabad Defenders went down against Sir Sicoma Perugia 0-3 (25-18, 25-19, 25-11). The Indian side was handed a comprehensive defeat by the Italian side who are also the defending champions of the tournament. With this loss, Ahmedabad Defenders ended their Volleyball Club World Championships campaign as the third-best team in Pool A.
Despite putting up a good fight, the Indian side couldn’t match the brilliance of the Italian side as they get knocked out in the Round Robin Clash. Though being the losing side, the Defenders showed their brilliance in the game in flashes.
Courtesy of winning the RuPay Prime Volleyball League, the Defenders became the first Indian team ever to play in the Volleyball Club World Championships. Considered as minnows, the Indian side faced the defending champions in a must-win encounter.
As far as Group A stands, Perugia tops the charts with 2 wins while Itambe Minas from Brazil finished second ahead of the Defenders.
In an exciting encounter, Defenders skipper Appavu Muthusamy breached the Perugia defense with his short sets. The Indian side started the first set with a good pace as they consistently went toe-to-toe till the opening 12 points. But the champions roared back. Cuban opposite Jesus Hererra stepped up as he scored points in free will to take the set for his side.
Since the first set, there was no turning back for the Indians. Perugia coach Angelo Lorenzetti substituted star setter Simone Giannelli to give Gregor Ropret some much-needed game time ahead of the knockouts.
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