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6.49pm: Yesterday, on the day of Julio Velasco’s return to the Italian bench, flanked by Massimo Barbolini and Lorenzo Bernardi, the Italian national team debuted in its first outing of the season. The Italian coach deployed Cambi as setter, with Antropova as opposite and Degradi and Bosetti as spikers. The center pair Danesi-Akrari, while Fersino played the role of libero. For Anna Danesi, it was the first match as captain of Italy, while Yasmina Akrari, Stella Nervini and Benedetta Sartori made their debut in the blue shirt, which was very positive for all three
6.46pm: In the first test match of 2024, the Italian women’s national team dominated Sweden with a clear 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-13) at the PalaIgor in Novara. The response from the public was very positive, with 2549 spectators present, generating a total taking of 40,085.00 euros. Camilla Mingardi was the top scorer of the match with 12 points, while Yasmina Akrari made an excellent contribution on the block, with 4 winning blocks.
6.43pm: With two friendly matches in two days, yesterday in Novara and today in Piacenza, against the Scandinavians, the seasonal adventure of Julio Velasco’s team begins, which will leave for Antalya on Sunday 12 May for the first week of the VNL. In Turkey the Italians will face Poland (14 May), Germany (16 May), Bulgaria (17 May) and in the last match against the hosts Turkey (18 May).
6.40pm: Good evening and welcome to the LIVE LIVE of the second pre-season friendly match of the Italian women’s national team against Sweden.
Good evening and welcome to the LIVE LIVE of the second pre-season friendly match of the Italian women’s national team against Sweden. With two friendly matches in two days, yesterday in Novara and today in Piacenza, against the Scandinavians, the seasonal adventure of Julio Velasco’s team begins, which will leave for Antalya on Sunday 12 May for the first week of the VNL. In Turkey the Italians will face Poland (14 May), Germany (16 May), Bulgaria (17 May) and in the last match against the hosts Turkey (18 May).
The first month of work, although shorter for some players, is put to the test with two important matches, which mark the beginning of the race towards Olympic qualification for Italy led by Julio Velasco. After yesterday’s debut, today, Thursday 9 May in Piacenza, the team will face Giulio Cesare Bregoli’s Sweden, busy preparing for the triangular match of the first round of the European Golden League which will be held in Lund from 17 to 19 May. Not all players will be available for Italy, especially those who played in the Champions League final in Antalya, but it is likely that the lineup deployed in these two matches will be similar to the one that will face the Nations League, with the imminent arrival of Egonu, De Gennaro, Fahr, Lubian, Orro and Sylla.
Despite the probable absence of Isabelle Haak in the Scandinavian team, which concluded its season last Sunday, Italy will still have a significant test bed. These matches will allow Velasco to carry out experiments and gather the first certainties. Players like Danesi, the new captain, Bosetti and Antropova will be called upon to play a fundamental role, trying to take the team to the Paris Olympics. The condition of the players seems optimal, considering Novara’s performance against Conegliano and the spectacular final between Conegliano and Scandicci.
Velasco will be able to take advantage of this important moment of the season to immediately guarantee qualification with crucial points in the ranking. Subsequently, it will be possible to give some rest to the players most used this season, preparing them for the July finale. Although it is difficult to expect a brilliant game already from the matches of Novara and Piacenza, you will still be able to understand the philosophy and gaming approach chosen by Velasco, fueling hopes for the future.
Sweden, on the other hand, is a middle-ranking team at European level. Last year the Swedes reached the round of 16 of the European Championship by achieving an important victory against Germany in the group ed exiting at the hands of Serbia. In all likelihood Bregoli will field Vilma Julevik of Hylte Halmstad VK as director, the opposite could be Hanna Hellvig of Sm’ Aesch Pfeffingen in Switzerland, the bands two acquaintances from the Italian championship, Alexandra Lazic of Il Bisonte Firenze and Anna Haak of Cuneo Granda Volleyball, center Linda Andersson of MAV Előre Sport Club in Hungary and Julia Nilsson of Engelholms VS. The libero is Filippa Brink of Engelholms VS.
OA Sport offers you the LIVE LIVE of the second pre-season friendly match of the Italian women’s national team against Sweden scheduled in Piacenza, news in real time, minute after minute, so you really don’t miss anything, we start at 7.00 pm!
