The historic first time for Italy’s women’s team in Piacenza turns into a triumph. The home team took the lead, remained ahead throughout the match, risked nothing and despite the constant changes in the lineup, they always kept Sweden at their back, finishing with a never-disputed 3-0.
The PalabancaSport is tinged with blue and experiences a revival of the Piacenza of the past. The facility presents an excellent glance, but it is above all the benches that set off the red and white amarcord. On the Italian team sit Julio Velasco, coach of Copra in the first championship final, Lorenzo Bernardi, coach of Gas Sales Bluenergy until the middle of last season, and Manuela Leggeri, this year working for Miovolley. Giulio Bregoli finds his place on the Swedish one, second to Davide Mazzanti and Gianni Caprara in the year of Rebecchi Nordmeccanica’s first championship (and Italian Cup). The list is not complete, because in the stands, camouflaged among the public, but immediately discovered by the fans, there is also Angelo Lorenzetti, reigning Italian champion with Perugia and also tricolor with Piacenza in 2009. But he is not only there the past in the stands, because following the match here is Martina Bracchi, until Monday in the group under Velasco and now waiting to start the new adventure with Pinerolo. And Elisabetta Curti, president of Gas Sales Bluenergy, the coach Andrea Anastasi and the libero Leonardo Scanferla didn’t miss the match either. Thus the banner with the words “Manuela Leggeri and Martina Bracchi, Piacenza and national pride” also appears in the stands.
The match technically offers little and it’s not the fault of the Italians. Sweden, moreover not at full strength, is of a significantly lower level: this was already clear in the first match in Novara which ended with a clear 3-0 for Italy and the impression is confirmed from the first points. It doesn’t matter, the blue still brings enthusiasm and some defense raises the decibels of the public who otherwise watches the domination of Velasco’s team. After the 25-17 of the first set, he also greets Antropova, on the court from the starting whistle, who joins Danesi and Caterina Bosetti in the weight room, who were not even included in the list. Space for Silvia Nwakalor as opposite but the inertia does not change, with Italy always ahead and Bregoli’s team collecting errors. The transition area looks like a summer toll booth in Romagna and Velasco gives space to everyone because there is a Volleyball Nations League to prepare for and in the next few days the points will really start to count. The only thrill comes when Sweden gets within one point (23-22), forcing the coach to take the first time out of the match. Then Piva takes care of giving the Italians the 2-0.
Bregoli always calls time out when the set has yet to take off in the hope of keeping the tension high between his girls. The goal is not always achieved, but at least Sweden shows that it is trying. The final 3-0 is a given, but the coaches decide to also play the fourth set, a way to extend Italy’s first time in the squad at the PalabancaSport. Only a partial session of training, without any statistics, and for the first time the Scandinavians shuffle the cards and take the lead. It is the most balanced fraction, but after a few exchanges Italy changes pace and returns to lead again, closing 4-0.
ITALY-SWEDEN 3-0
(25-17, 25-22, 25-20)
