Lube vs Padova | Highlights | Superlega 26/27

Lube vs Padova | Highlights | Superlega 26/27. Cucine Lube Civitanova defeated Pallavolo Padova 3–0 (25–21, 25–15, 25–21) on October 25, 2026, in the second round of the 2026–27 Italian SuperLega Credem Banca regular season. Playing their first home league match of the season at the Eurosuole Forum in Civitanova Marche, Lube secured their second consecutive straight-sets victory after opening their campaign with a win at Verona. The match began at 18:00 local time in front of 2,831 spectators and lasted 76 minutes, with the three sets taking 24, 23 and 29 minutes respectively.

Aleksandar “Alex” Nikolov finished as the match’s top scorer with 13 points, including two aces and one block. Giovanni Gargiulo earned the MVP award after contributing 10 points with 60% attacking success, two aces and two blocks. Eric Loeppky also scored 10 points, including two aces and one block. Setter Simeon “Moni” Nikolov delivered an impressive scoring performance of his own, collecting seven points through four aces, two blocks and one attacking point. Mattia Bottolo added seven points, while Klimes contributed five.

For Padova, Mattia Orioli was the only player to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points. Amir Mohammad Golzadeh scored eight, Leo Lukas Leodolter contributed seven, Joscha Kunstmann and Marco Pellacani added four apiece, and setter Arshia Behnezhad finished with three.

Lube started with Simeon Nikolov at setter and his brother Alex in the opposite position, Eric Loeppky and Mattia Bottolo as outside hitters, Giovanni Gargiulo and Klimes as middle blockers, and Fabio Balaso at libero. Head coach Giampaolo Medei selected Klimes in the middle in place of Jackson Howe. Padova, coached by Jacopo Cuttini, started with Behnezhad at setter, Golzadeh opposite, Orioli and Leodolter outside, Kunstmann and Pellacani in the middle, and Francesco D’Amico at libero.

The opening set featured strong serving from both teams, with each side recording four aces. Lube established an early advantage and moved ahead 16–10, but Padova responded through their serving pressure and reduced the deficit to 17–15. Civitanova then regained control and closed the set 25–21 on a service error by Kunstmann. Lube recorded an outstanding 76% attacking success rate in the set, while Alex Nikolov scored six points with 80% attacking success. Orioli also scored six points for Padova.

Lube took firmer control in the second set. After moving ahead 9–7, the hosts extended their advantage to 12–8 and then 16–10. Their serving and blocking proved decisive, producing four aces against Padova’s one and three winning blocks against none. Loeppky delivered consecutive aces during the set, while Alex Nikolov and Gargiulo helped stretch the lead in the closing stages. Lube earned nine set points at 24–15 and converted the first following a Padova setting error, winning 25–15.

The third set brought Padova’s strongest challenge. Lube initially led 12–8, but the visitors responded with a 5–1 run to level the score at 13–13. Civitanova moved ahead again at 16–13 before Padova fought back and took an 18–17 lead through their blocking. Gargiulo helped swing the momentum back toward Lube with an ace, and Bottolo’s block extended the home side’s advantage to 22–19. Simeon Nikolov subsequently served an ace for 24–20, and Klimes finished the match with a quick attack to seal the set 25–21.

Lube finished with an advantage in every major statistical category. Civitanova recorded 53% attacking success compared with Padova’s 41%, served 11 aces against seven, and registered six winning blocks against four. Lube’s positive reception stood at 49%, including 24% perfect reception, while Padova recorded 34% positive reception and 18% perfect reception. The hosts committed 12 service errors, one fewer than Padova’s 13. The match was officiated by Simbari and Giglio.

The victory left Lube at the top of the published standings after two rounds, with six points, two wins and a perfect 6–0 set record. Piacenza and Trentino also had six points. Padova remained bottom with zero points after two defeats and a 0–6 set record. Lube’s next scheduled match was away to Acqua Sant’Anna Cuneo on November 1, while Padova were scheduled to visit Allianz Milano on the same day.