Broni visits Empoli, the last place to avoid

A victory would dispel the specter of direct relegation. Coach Castelli hopes to get foreign Dedic and Smith back

WEAPONS

This evening (duo at 7 pm), Costruzioni Italia Broni visits Use Scotti Rosa Empoli, bottom of the A1 series. This is a key challenge for the safety zone. Winning the team from Oltrepadana would significantly remove the danger of direct relegation to Serie A2 and would consolidate in the play-out area. On the contrary, a defeat would reopen the games, allowing the Tuscans to still be able to undermine the penultimate position now occupied by the red and white Bronesi.

The thirteenth place is therefore decisive to avoid direct relegation to the second national series and, at the end of the regular season, will allow for the chances of salvation in the two play-out rounds. Broni won the first leg match 73-53, so we must also look carefully at the goal difference (now +20 for the Lombard team), which is decisive in the event of an equal finish. The delicate challenge of PalaSammontana will be directed by Alberto Maria Scrima from Catanzaro, Simone Patti from Montesilvano (breaking latest news) and Claudio Di Toro from Perugia.

Broni plans to recover both Croatian winger Nina Dedic and American center Janae Smith, who did not play last Saturday in Bologna. Costruzioni Italia will then have to rely on the production vein of the usual Virginia Galbiati.

Recoveries. Today (17th day): Virtus Bologna-Akronos Moncalieri (6 pm); (21st day): Empoli-Weapons (7 pm). Tomorrow. 15th day: Faenza-Sesto San Giovanni (18.30), Sassari-San Martino (20.30). Classification: Schio *** 40; Virtus Bologna **, Lucca * 32; Venice ****** 30; Ragusa ** 26; Campobasso *** 22, San Martino ** 22; Sesto San Giovanni * 20; Costa Masnaga **** 16; Sassari *** 14; Faenza * 12; Weapons***, Moncalieri ** 8; Empoli *** 4. (* matches to be recovered). –