Al Tadawi rally to win Nad Al Sheba volleyball title
Al Tadawi came from two sets down to beat Yaazar 3-2 in the final of the volleyball competition at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament in Dubai.
They looked beaten after dropping the first two sets 25-21 and 25-14. Instead, they turned the match around. Al Tadawi took the third set 25-21, the fourth 25-20, then pulled clear in the decider to win 15-7.
It brought the volleyball event to a close at the 13th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex during Ramadan.
Yaazar had made the stronger start and were in control after two sets. But Al Tadawi settled into the match and found more rhythm in attack and defence as it went on. By the fifth set, the momentum had shifted fully.
Al Tadawi’s squad included players from Italian side MA Acqua S. Bernardo Cuneo. They received gold medals, the trophy and AED 600,000 in prize money.
Yaazar, whose line-up featured players from the UAE Volleyball League, finished with silver medals and AED 500,000. Al Samawi took third place after beating M.I.N. Investment, earning AED 400,000.
Michele Fedrizzi of Al Tadawi was named best player. His teammate Domenico Cavaccini won best libero, while Lorenzo Sala took the best server award.
Hamza Hamdy Al Safy of Yaazar was named best blocker. Michele Baranowicz of Al Tadawi won best setter, and Anton of Al Samawi was named best spiker.
The winners were presented with their awards by Khalfan Belhoul, vice chairman of Dubai Sports Council, with senior officials and organisers also in attendance.
